Christine Reese

Christine Mary Rufer Reese

November 1, 1949 ~ March 18, 2018

Christine Mary Rufer Reese, 68, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, after a decades-long battle with chronic illness and heart disease.

Born November 1, 1949 in Alcon Canal Zone, Panama (USA), to Lester H. and Ileene B. Rufer, Chris was the second of two children.  At the age of five, the family relocated to North Ogden, where Chris later attended North Ogden Elementary, Wahlquist Junior High, and Weber High School.  It was at Weber that she met her husband of 48 years, Lon Reese, who she adored.  They married in Ogden on April 13, 1970, and later solemnized their vows and were sealed to their children in the Ogden Temple on April 17, 1981.  Shortly after their wedding, they moved to San Jose, CA, to open and manage a series of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants – a career that would last 30-years.   While in San Jose, Chris gave birth to her two children, Joseph Lon (1972) and Pamela Ann (1976).

Desiring a more balanced life that was closer to family, Lon and Chris returned to North Ogden in 1980, opening several children’s clothing stores, called Little Hearts.  During this time Chris focused on being a loving wife, mother, and daughter to her family, actively participating in school and sports events, church activities, and serving those around her.  In 1985, Lon and Chris resumed their restaurant career with KFC, briefly relocating to Grass Valley, CA for a year, before returning to North Ogden.  With her enthusiasm and love for service, it was only natural that she spent much of her career as a trainer, spreading her passion and enthusiasm with others.

Chris had the spiritual gifts of service and hospitality, and she embodied the principles of a true servant leader.  She had a gift for organizing, especially when it came to event planning and cooking.  Over the years she served in countless positions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, including in the Relief Society Presidency, Primary Presidency, Missionary, and was affectionately known as a ‘funeral mom’.  Chris had a love and gift for teaching, and spent years as a Relief Society and Primary Teacher.  She knew without a doubt that Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior, and had a strong testimony of the Gospel.  Like her mom, Chris was a master at feeding people and showing hospitality.  She lived on the same street for nearly 35 years, and always made a point of cooking for and taking care of her neighbors, and was always known for ‘adopting’ people when they needed a friend.

Once her grandchildren, Morgan and Lizzie, were born, Chris was forever known as Grandma Chris – a title of which she was fiercely proud.  She loved her grandchildren very much, and wished her health allowed her to spend more time with them.

The last years of Chris’ life were not easy, and she faced many challenges with her health.  Through it all, she was a fighter, and she continued to show the same strength of spirit and desire to serve her family and neighbors, as her health permitted.  She was loved by so many, and her legacy of service, generosity, and unselfish giving will live on in those who knew her.

Christine is survived by her husband, D. Lon Reese, North Ogden; children, Joe (SueAnn) Reese, Meridian, ID, and Annie (Mark) Kern, Alexandria, VA; and her two granddaughters, Morgan and Elizabeth Reese, Meridian, ID.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Ileene Rufer, North Ogden, UT, and her sister, Sheila Schutt, Hunting Beach, CA.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2018 at Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 E 2850 N, North Ogden. Friends may visit family on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the North Ogden 13th LDS Ward, 900 E 2850 N, North Ogden. Services entrusted to Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary.