Reba Thompson

Reba M. Thompson, 88, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, died Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at the Innis Free Senior living Community at Rogers. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 25, 2012 at the First Congregational - U.C.C. in Webster City, with Rev. Craig Blaufuss officiating. Private burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Arrangements were made with the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center. Reba M. Hewitt, daughter of Harry and Ella Hewitt, was born January 14, 1924 at Vineland, New Jersey. She graduated from Vineland High School where she was a gymnast. She was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She was a member of the Cadet Nurse Corp during World War II and received the American Legion 8 and 40 Award Scholarship. Reba graduated from Loyola University in Chicago, with a BSN in Public Health and became a certified Public Health nurse. She also served as Head Nurse of the Tuberculosis Control Department of Chicago, while on loan to the University of Illinois. On February 28, 1948, she married Oliver Christ Seering. The couple made their home in Evergreen Park, IL They moved to Webster City in 1968, where Ollie owned and managed the Ford Dealership. Upon moving to Webster City, she became Administrator of Public Health Nurse Service in Hamilton County. Ollie died April 11, 1972. Reba completed her post graduate work at the University of Iowa for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She was also active in Public Health Seminars throughout the U.S.S.R. in 1979. She married Leonard Thompson. After retiring in 1984, Reba and Leonard moved to Arkansas, where she served as deacon of the Community Church in Bella Vista. She volunteered for five years at Village House and Cancer Challenge. She served two terms on the advisory board of the Cherokee Institute and six years as director of Iowa Lung Association Board. She served as president of the Mental Health Board of Hamilton County. She also served as president of Business Professional Women and received the Iowa Public Health Nurse of the year, Thelma Luther award. Reba served on Head Start's board and was one of the committee organizers of the Meals On Wheels program. She also served as deacon and was on various boards of the First Congregational - U.C.C. of Webster City. She was a life member of Bella Vista's Sportsman Club. She also enjoyed trips throughout Europe, and to Egypt and the Holy Land. Leonard died in 1999. Reba is survived by daughter, Mary Beth Link of Omaha, NE; son, Bruce L. Thompson of Mt. Sidney, VA; grandchildren, David Link, Brian and Beth Thompson. She also was preceded in death by a sister in 1986. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Reba's name to your local animal shelter at her expressed request. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Thompson family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com