Cleda Aldene Reid

Cleda Reid, 98, passed away Friday January 7th at the Ruby Valley Hospital in Sheridan, MT.

Cleda Aldene Rhoads Reid was born on March 6, 1923 to Solomon Edgar Rhoads and Stella Sarah Penick Rhoads in Cartersville, MT. She was the oldest of three children. She had a brother – Howard Rhoads- and a sister – Myrtle Rhoads Murphy. Her dad came to Montana from Petersburg, Indiana and her mother came from Louisville, Kentucky.

Cleda attended grade school at Cartersville and high school at Rosebud Co. High where she graduated in 1941. After graduating, Cleda and two of her friends hopped on a bus and came to Twin Bridges to work in the nursery at the Montana State Orphanage. She had the little boys and girls from 1-3 years old for three years and three months without a day off. Though the pay wasn’t much, the time was certainly well spent. She was only 18 and the fairgrounds down the boardwalk held lively barn dances where they would dance all night. Then at 6 a.m. sharp every Sunday, the girls would report back for another week with the children. It was at these dances she met Dale Reid.

Three years later on September 2, 1944 Cleda married Dale in Butte. She then quit her job at the orphanage and started working at Woodward Clothing Store during the war. After that, the couple moved just north of Twin Bridges to Dale’s family ranch. Cleda kept busy running errands, cooking for the crew and even helping occasionally using the beaver slides. After 62 years of marriage, Dale passed away in 2006.

Cleda continued to live on the family ranch and enjoyed going to Red Hats and her Senior dinners. She was very social and looked forward to visiting with her many friends. In addition, she faithfully drove to her weekly hair appointments and was proud that she was still able to drive until she was almost 98. Cleda also loved cheering on her great-grandchildren in their various sporting events.

Survivors include: daughters Betty (Duwane) Sand and Jo Ann (Jerry) Bender; grandchildren Randy (Meagan) Boyd, Ken (Deanna) Miotke and Ralee (Troy) Thornton; great grandchildren Alexis and Aidan Thornton, Taylor (Trenton) Broere and Shelby and Madison Miotke; numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews including Linda (Larry) Maddox, Paula (Mike) Floyd, Frank Reid and Barbara Lund.

Throughout the course of her 98 years, Cleda never changed from that adventurous 18 year old girl who came to Madison County in 1941.

Funeral services will be held Saturday January 15th at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of the Valley in Twin Bridges with Tad Dale officiating. A short graveside service will follow as will a reception back at the church.