Monday, February 26, 2024 ~ 11:00 a.m.
Svoboda Funeral Home ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Private Interment at Morningside Cemetery ~ Mead, Nebraska
Monday, February 26, 2024 ~ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Svoboda Funeral Home ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Charity of Choice
Gail M. (Hilfiker) Reeder, 72, of Omaha, NE, entered into rest on Monday, February 19, 2024 at the Hospice House in Omaha, NE. She was born July 8, 1951 in Omaha, NE, and was later adopted by Genevieve M. (Johnson) and Everette O. Hilfiker in 1952. Growing up in a small village was largely uneventful, but it presented opportunities to have a plethora of pets: rabbits, dogs, ponies, and horses.
Graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in 1973, Reeder began her teaching career in Fremont, NE. By 1975, Reeder had completed a MA in education. Six years later, Reeder moved to Lincoln and taught at Lincoln East High School until 1997.
Having finished her PhD in Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction by 1991, Reeder left Nebraska for 20 years of teaching at California Baptist University, University of California-Riverside, and Azusa Pacific University. Reeder retired in 2018 APU with professor emeritus status. Spending 43 years teaching in public and private schools was a life full of joy.
She is survived by Nebraska family members, including aunts and cousins. Most importantly Reeder is survived by her loving pets, Cassie, Stevie Beaks, and Pickles.
Gail & I met as students at Fairbury Junior College & became roommates in Lincoln. There was never a dull moment with Gail in our mix! We kept in touch over the past 50 years & I am ever grateful for our final visit when I was passing through Omaha the end of October.
A Flavian quote comes to mind when I think of Gail: “Some people come into our lives & quickly go. Some stay for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same.” With gratitude for the friendships & memories shared- here’s to a dear friend. Rest in Peace🙏💕
GAIL will be terribly missed
We had some very good times
Gail was a very important friend and colleague. I will miss her tremendously. I’m saddened by her loss, but glad for any peace she has found. She gave so much of herself to her students, to her fellow educators, and to her animals. She was passionate in her beliefs and always spoke up for them. I’ll miss her voice.
Gail blessed us all with a spirit of fun and dedicated professionalism that had no end. We taught ostensibly unrelated subjects….but we constantly shared students, life, colleagues, music, friends, politics, food and beverage etc.
Bless her for all she did and for my friend!
Dr. Reeder was my favorite English teacher in high school! I was lucky enough to be in her classes for two years in the early 90s. When I became an English teacher myself, I always kept the lessons Dr. Reeder instilled in me in the back of my head — not just the English lessons, but the lessons about being a good human and a good teacher. She will live on in the hearts and minds of all the students she inspired. ❤️
I remember Gail from Fairbury Junior College. Sadly, we lost touch, but over the years I’ve often thought of her and other FJC students and the fun we had back then. Sorry to hear of her passing.
Gail will forever be remembered for her love of her students. She was a bright light in the English Department at East High.
Gail! I’m going to miss you very much! We’ve been friends going on 10 years. You are an amazing person. God placed you in my life at such a perfect time! He just knew I need a friend like you. I’m going to miss our conversation and the laughs we’ve shared and most of all our friendship. You are family to me and always will be. I hope you’re having a great time with your Mom, Grace, Martin and Molly. Love you!
Gail was a good friend and colleague. We did a lot of things together while teaching in the APU graduate program at the regional center at Inland’s San Bernadino as well as Azusa other centers. We both traveled a great deal! So sad to know she has passed but grateful that she is no longer suffering. May she share eternal life with Jesus now.
Reeder was a teacher I still talk about when referring to my time at East High School. She guided me and I was one of her TA’s in class before Lunch.
RIP Gail…I still have the silver you had me invest into😉👍
Love always,
Scott Embury
I am grateful to have grown up with Gail in Mead–years of working with horses, school activities, and just having fun. Her wry sense of humor had me in stitches at all the wrong times. Sending you warm affection, Gail1