Jean Lee Reiff, 80, of Lawrence, KS, died July 3, 2024 at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living, with family by her side. She was born August 1, 1943, in Moline, IL, the daughter of Enoch and Lucille (Roussel) Lundahl. After graduating from United Township High School, she married Alvin Reiff of Kewanee, IL, on September 23, 1961, residing in Silvis, IL, until moving to Cambridge, IL, in 1968 to raise their four children.
Jean held a variety of secretarial and administrative assistant jobs. In 1988, when the nest had emptied, she and Al left Illinois for sunny Florida where she worked at Walt Disney World the next 12 years. She then lived for five years each in Las Cruces, NM, Branson, MO, and Moline IL, working for Tresco, Inc, VHC Brands, and Grace Lutheran Church in Davenport. She retired to Lawrence, KS in 2014.
An empathetic listener, Jean connected easily with people wherever she lived. She loved to be useful and generously volunteered her time and talent, whether sewing elaborate costumes for high school musicals or church pageants, crocheting soft blankets for newborns, preparing Bible study lessons, or simply sharing a moment to chat with a neighbor.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Alvin Reiff. Survivors include sons David (Sharron Howard) Reiff, Prescott Valley, AZ, and Daniel (Mary Jo) Reiff, Lawrence, KS; daughters Debra Landt, Las Cruces, NM, and Diane Reiff, Lenexa, KS. Other survivors include her brother, George (Darlene) Lundahl, East Moline, IL; grandchildren Talia Harris, Ian (Zoe) Ginn, Melanie Landt, Bevan Landt, Megan Cage; and great-grandchildren Artemis, Briar, Marigold and Grey Ginn and Trinity Harris.
Services will be at 10:00 am, Monday, July 8, 2024, at Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, with Reverend Mark Winton officiating. A public in-state visitation also will be available at Rumsey-Yost funeral home from 5-8:00 pm, Sunday, July 7.
