Gregory Reed

Gregory A. Reed, “Mr. Fix-It”, age 61 of Cottage Grove, passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 2017.

Visitation will be 5-9 pm, Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 -80th Street S. as well as one hour prior to service at church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am Thursday, July 20, 2017, at The Church of St. Rita, 8694 - 80th Street S., Cottage Grove, Cottage Grove. Interment Cottage Grove Cemetery.

Gregory Allen Reed was born July 22, 1955 in South Bend, Indiana to John “Jack” and Mary “Sue” Reed. He had three brothers, Terry, Chris, and Jeff whom he enjoyed having breakfast with on Saturday mornings.

He grew up in Stillwater, MN and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1973. While in high school, he worked on a neighbor’s farm lifting bales of hay. He also fixed motorcycles for a short time.

Greg met Patricia Kroska in 1974 and married her four years later, on May 29, 1978. That same year, Greg and Patty bought their first home, in Cottage Grove, MN, where they raised three children and resided ever since.

Due to his keen ability to fix and work on machinery, Greg began working at Tetra Pak packaging company after high school graduation in 1974. He worked for Tetra Pak for 34 years, eventually becoming a Lead Test Engineer prior to the company’s relocation to Sweden in 2008. He later went to work for a past supervisor and friend from Tetra Pak, Paul Sunby, owner of Delta Plus Coaching, Inc (DPCI). Greg worked for DPCI for the first 7 years as a Project Engineer, and as a Project Manager for the past year. Greg will always be remembered by clients as having a heart of a teacher, working with integrity, and having the ability to solve any problem you put his way.

His passion, foremost, was spending time with his family. He also enjoyed the many years of camping he spent with close friends and family. He loved NASCAR, boating, and fishing. He enjoyed helping loved ones with projects, and was known as the “Go-To Guy” and “Mr. Fix-It.” He was dedicated to supporting and protecting his family, which is evident by the fortress of security cameras he recently installed around the house, and his bad weather notifications he would provide at the first hint of a thunderstorm.

Greg is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patricia; children Julie (Todd Sullivan), Debbie (Joseph) Polencheck, and Bill; grandsons Xavier and Alex; siblings Terry (Mary), Chris, and Jeff. Along with many other family members and friends who loved him dearly.