Mary Reuter Obituary

Mary Frances Reuter, 95, a long-time resident of Manchester, passed away Monday, February 10, 2025, at Manchester Memorial Hospital after a short illness. Born in 1929 in Sumner, Iowa, the daughter of Claude and Frances Heyer, she attended Sumner schools before meeting and falling in love with James (Jim) Reuter, also of Sumner, while working at her family's lumber business. Jim was passionate about flying, and their early dates included flights piloted by Jim over the cornfields of Iowa. Mary received a nursing degree from Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in 1951. Jim and Mary tied the knot that same year, beginning a wonderful 74-year life voyage together. In 1964, Mary and Jim relocated to Manchester with their young family. Mary worked as a registered nurse at Manchester Memorial Hospital, from 1968 until her retirement in 1992. Besides being a cornerstone of her family, she was active in her church and with her extended family of nursing associates. Mary is survived by her husband of 74 years, Jim; her children James (Julia) Reuter of Bethel, ME; William (Sharon) of Baltimore, MD; Charles (Ann Marie) of Granby, CT; and Rebecca (Robert) Pilver, of Willington, CT; as well as grandchildren Colin (Christin) Reuter of Leeds, MA; John (Lexie) Reuter of Hailey, ID; Alicia Reuter of New York, NY; and Matthew (Alayna) Reuter of Brooklyn, NY; and three great-grandchildren, Simon, Amelia, and Otto. All will sorely miss her love, her wry wit, and her strength and calmness. Mary was predeceased by her parents, and her siblings; Jim Heyer, Gretchen Backlund, Pat O'Brien, and Warner Heyer. A service honoring Mary's life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 60 Church Street, Manchester, to be followed by a lunch. All are welcome to attend. Memorial gifts may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Manchester. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary, please visit our floral store.