Luella Vivian Reel

The life of beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, community volunteer and woman in constant motion, Luella Reel, didn’t come to an end with her peaceful passing on January 6, 2021. Her life, actions and years of dedication to others will undoubtably live on through all those who knew Sweet Lou. For most of Luella’s 92 years, you’d rarely find her at home, as she preferred to be out and about with close friends and family, volunteering for causes close to her heart, or working with many civic organizations. For a time, she worked in hospitality, as a cook and waitress, where she certainly honed the skills that made her cooking much sought after by her family, or anyone who could smell her apple pie, and its delicate crust, fresh from the oven. Luella, an avid Mariners fan, where the nickname Sweet Lou holds a special meaning, loved watching sports on TV, and also cheering on Gonzaga or the Seahawks. She knew how to have a good time and called her beloved Kokanee, her Vitamin K. She was always up for telling a story or a joke, having no particular qualms about telling an off-color one, either. She enjoyed warm evenings working at the Spokane Indians baseball games, serving beer for the Lion’s Club. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Bowling for the Blind, and spent many years donning her green vest at the Shiners Hospitals for Children in Spokane. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Chapter #163 and served as a Past Worthy Matron of #163 and #214; Job’s Daughters Guardian, Bethel #64; Daughter’s of the Nile; Shadle Park Lion’s Club. Luella was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, Perry A. Reel. She is survived by her children: Ron Reel, Seattle; Barbara Kolbet-Snyder (Dave), Spokane; Marjorie Flemming (Marc), Spokane; 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and sister, Bette Wilson, Spokane. A viewing will be held January 14-16 (9 a.m. till 5 p.m.), at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division. A family-only graveside service will be held at Spokane Memorial Gardens on January 18 at 12:30. A video celebrating Luella’s life may be viewed here: https://bit.ly/LuellaReel In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her honor to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Spokane. Luella, ever the independent fighter to the end, still knew when it was her time to go. She had a saying when she’d head home that is only fitting as her farewell to us . . . I should get to gettin’