Lucille Betty (Pierce) Reif passed away peacefully at her home in Plainville, Kansas on August 7, 2025.
Lucille was born on July 2, 1941, to Tabea (Eichman) and Orville 'O.A.' Pierce. She was the seventh child and a very gracious and loving sister to LeRoy, Pauline, Lillian, Shirley, and Myra. She grew up in Trego and Graham County, Kansas, in a family that was all musically inclined. Lucille and her sister Shirley often saved their egg money to buy music books, then spent hours singing and yodeling together—a tradition that lasted their entire lives. Whenever the family gathered, music was sure to follow.
Lucille attended school in Graham County and graduated from Hill City High School in 1959. She dreamed of pursuing a musical career, but her heart led her to devote herself to raising a family.
Lucille married Charles Lesley Reif on April 29, 1962, in LaCrosse, Kansas. They lived in several towns before settling in Plainville in 1966, where they raised their family. Together they had seven children: Tabea Reif of Hutchinson; Michael (Emily) Reif of Hays; Mark Reif; Sara McWhirter of Dighton; Laura (Kendall) Foss of Plainville; Marvin Reif of Plainville; and Donna Reif Ochs of Arizona. Later, two more children were added to the family: Astrid (Yens) Unbehaun of Germany and Cory (Audra) Williams of Iowa. Lucille was blessed with 25 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, and she also welcomed many “extra” children into her home over the years, making each feel like part of the family.
Lucille spent most of her life as a homemaker, though she held a few jobs outside the home. She worked at Travenol in Hays and often carpooled with the ladies she worked with. She also worked for Ken’s during the Christmas season and at Stop-To-Shop for a short time. Many in the area remember her running the cotton candy trailer for Robert Carmichael at the Rooks County Fair.
When her older boys became involved in rodeo, Lucille did too. After serving as secretary for the Plainville High School Rodeo, she became an officer for the Kansas State High School Rodeo. She was also a dedicated member of the Daughters of Isabella for 58 years, serving as a local, state, and international officer, the latter for five years.
Lucille’s volunteer spirit extended to Sacred Heart School, where she helped in the lower grades and the library. Some of her greatest joys came from creating things with her hands for the people she loved. She crocheted Afghans for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, each one stitched with care and given from the heart. From the scraps in her sewing room, she fashioned aprons, and she could just as easily create a blanket, quilt, or even a wedding dress. Sewing was second nature to her, and every project was made with love and the purest intentions. One of her more unique creations was a red tuxedo she made for a tuxedo shop in Emporia owned by Charles’s aunt and uncle—long before colored tuxedos were available. The gentleman who wore it was the Man of Honor, and Lucille made sure it was perfect.
In her later years, she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren accompanying them to appointments when needed or calling just to invite them to lunch. Every family member holds a special memory with her—whether it was baking, canning, gardening, singing, rodeoing, crocheting, or sewing. She did it all and ran the office for Reif Welding and Construction, the family business she and Charles started in 1969 and operated for 50 years. Retiring was not what she wanted to do, but she stepped away when she could still enjoy traveling with Charles.
Travel became a joy, with yearly trips to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming and the Jazz Festival in Evergreen, Colorado. One of her favorite trips was to Germany for her “extra” daughter’s wedding – a trip she and Charles made two more times. They also went to Alberta, Canada for the international D of I meetings.
Lucille will be remembered for her generosity, talents, and unwavering love for her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother LeRoy; infant brothers Lloyde and Abraham; sisters Pauline and Shirley; son Mark Reif; and son-in-law Neil McWhirter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 11, 2025, at 10:30AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, with burial following at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, August 10, from 6–8 p.m., with a Vigil and Rosary at 7 p.m., all at the church.
Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Church or Sacred Heart School and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com