Kevin J. Reece

Kevin Reece, 57, passed away October 19, 2022 at his ranch home near Valentine. A Celebration of Life service will be held November 12, 2022 at the Valentine Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family as they establish a scholarship in his honor. Holmes Funeral Home of Valentine is assisting the family.

Kevin Jon Reece was born May 11, 1965, to F. M. ‘Bud’ Reece Jr. and Judith (Maranville) Reece in Valentine. He loved the ranch on which he was raised and where he lived his entire life. Kevin attended grade school at Simeon District 5. He was active in 4-H and junior wrestling. He was a 1984 graduate of Valentine High School where he participated in football, wrestling and track, as well as rodeo. He was awarded the 1984 Nebraska 4-H Horse Award.

Kevin attended the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1989 with an Ag Economics degree. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity and was active in UNL Rodeo Club. He traveled to numerous rodeos, making many friends along the way. He was the 1987 and 1988-1989 UNL Rodeo Association All-Around Cowboy. In the fall of 1989, the Rodeo team traveled to Shizouka, Japan to produce a rodeo as part of the city’s 1,000-year celebration. Kevin also visited Australia and New Zealand while in college.

On April 22, 1994, Kevin married Jennifer Wietzke and they made their home on the ranch. Together they raised three children Jordan, Kaitlin, and Kooper. Being a significant part of the family’s business brought them much happiness and many adventures together.

Besides ranching, Kevin enjoyed creating cowboy poetry, writing poems about ranching, rodeo life, family, and friends. Kevin found his greatest joy in his children and grandchildren, and their many activities and accomplishments.

He is survived by his wife Jenny; children: Jordan (Cimone) Garvin of Denver, Kaitlin of Stanton, and Kooper of Kearney; grandchildren: King Brown, Djerik Garvin, Cayden Barnes, and Maclin Garvin; parents Bud and Judy Reece of Valentine; sister Janet (Lonny)Thomsen of Wolbach; mother-in-law, Marie Wietzke of Valentine; sisterin- law Carol Wietzke of Valentine; and brother-in law John (Shelley) Wietzke of Valentine; nephews: Andrew (Jamie) Thomsen, Sterling and Blake, Tony (Laura) Reed, Aly and Lila and Kasey Wietzke; and niece CaLee Thomsen; and his dog, Hank.

He was preceded by his grandparents: Francis Marion (Frank) Reece, Sr. and Edna (Gram Gram) Young Reece, Forrest Glen (Opa) Maranville and Thelma (Oma) Wilcox Maranville, and father-in-law, Eldon Wietzke.