Obituary for Nova Lee Mrad (Reece)
On Sunday, February 16, 2020, Nova Lee Reece Mrad of Rogersville, MO, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 71. Nova was born on November 3, 1948 (the day Truman was elected, as she liked to say) in St. Louis, MO, to Norvel and Marjorie Reece. She received her education degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and her Master’s degree from Missouri State University. Nova enjoyed a teaching career that spanned forty years, the last half of that, at her beloved Central High School. She was happily married for over 52 years to David F. Mrad, and together they raised two children, Dawn and David.
Nova was absolutely passionate about teaching and cared deeply for all her students. She was an avid gardener and an accomplished and adventurous cook. Nova was an admirer of the often overlooked art of girls’ needlework, especially that seen in antique samplers. She enthusiastically pursued genealogy and left her family with an amazing account of their history. She used that knowledge to become a proud member of the DAR (Rachael Donaldson Chapter). What Nova loved most, though, was her family. Never has there been a grandmother more proud of her grandchildren.
Nova was preceded in death by her father, Norvel Reece, and her mother, Marjorie. She is survived by her husband, David, her two children, Dawn and David, her daughter-in-law, Aaron, her three grandchildren, Shane, Nathaniel, and Elizabeth, and her sister, Rebecca.
Her family want to express their appreciation to Intrepid Hospice and her nurse, Daisy McClanahan, for the loving care they provided in her final days.
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home: 500 E. Walnut Street Springfield, MO. A Daughters of the American Revolution service will start
at 6:45 pm.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Friday, February 21, 2020 at St. Agnes Cathedral: 533 S. Jefferson Springfield, MO, with Msgr. Thomas Reidy, celebrant. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Springfield, MO.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Nova L. Mrad Scholarship Fund for Central High School at https://www.supportsps.org/donate/.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
Nova was absolutely passionate about teaching and cared deeply for all her students. She was an avid gardener and an accomplished and adventurous cook. Nova was an admirer of the often overlooked art of girls’ needlework, especially that seen in antique samplers. She enthusiastically pursued genealogy and left her family with an amazing account of their history. She used that knowledge to become a proud member of the DAR (Rachael Donaldson Chapter). What Nova loved most, though, was her family. Never has there been a grandmother more proud of her grandchildren.
Nova was preceded in death by her father, Norvel Reece, and her mother, Marjorie. She is survived by her husband, David, her two children, Dawn and David, her daughter-in-law, Aaron, her three grandchildren, Shane, Nathaniel, and Elizabeth, and her sister, Rebecca.
Her family want to express their appreciation to Intrepid Hospice and her nurse, Daisy McClanahan, for the loving care they provided in her final days.
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home: 500 E. Walnut Street Springfield, MO. A Daughters of the American Revolution service will start
at 6:45 pm.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Friday, February 21, 2020 at St. Agnes Cathedral: 533 S. Jefferson Springfield, MO, with Msgr. Thomas Reidy, celebrant. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Springfield, MO.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Nova L. Mrad Scholarship Fund for Central High School at https://www.supportsps.org/donate/.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.