Reed Ross Haeger, 78, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 8:24 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2024, at Birkwood Village in Fort Madison, Iowa, surrounded by his family. 
Reed was born on July 28, 1945, in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Reed “Ross” Haeger, Sr. and Mary (Phelan) Haeger. On August 10, 1968, he married Susan Teresa Hanley in Lewistown, Montana. She preceded him in death on January 15, 2024, after fifty-five years of marriage.
As a boy, Reed spent summers at his grandparents home outside of Rhinelander, Wisconsin at Haeger’s Lodge on Lake Thompson. Upon graduation from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Reed spent a summer on the Whitetail Ranch outside of Missoula, Montana working as a ranch hand. This experience provided a lifetime of stories and a deep personal connection to the cowboy persona. Reed attended St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in education. Accepting a gift from his father upon graduation, Reed spent three months traveling Europe. Through a college roommate, he learned of and accepted a teaching position at Marquette High School in West Point where he would teach English for nine years. After teaching, Reed dabbled as a restaurateur managing the West Point Knights of Columbus, Donnellson Green Acres Golf Club and as owner/proprietor of Reed’s Pizza in West Point. He finished his full-time working career at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown after twenty years. Reed and Sue purchased the Corner Tap in 1983. In August of 2023, in fine West Point Sweet Corn Festival festive fashion, they celebrated forty years in business.
From area bass fishing tournaments to weekend fishing getaways with Sue, Reed was an avid fisherman. He transitioned from water to land in the game of golf, a pastime passion he renewed with a vengeance. His dedication and knowledge for the game was intense, perhaps even driving a patron or two out of the Corner Tap with his incessant talk of it! His love of reading was evidenced by the many books that went through his hands, thousands and thousands of pages turned. Reed had not only the gift of word crafting, but with those page turning fingers, he would use his woodworking craft to spend hours in his basement making gifts for family and friends, especially his grandkids. Reed was most proud of his family. Four children, thirteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren and counting… Always the teacher, always the storyteller, lighting up at the opportunity to share with them is what he loved best.
Reed is survived by his three daughters: Kathleen “Katie” (Chris) Dailey of Terre Haute, Indiana, Jennifer “Jenny” Steffensmeier (Randy Larson) of West Point, Megan (Bill) Kruse of West Point; son: Ross (Erin) Haeger of Burlington; thirteen grandchildren: Daniel Dailey, Jack Dailey, Claire Dailey, Isaac Steffensmeier (Courtney Abolt), Rachel Steffensmeier (Julian Holmes), Sarah (CJ) Richardson, Aaron (Taylor) Steffensmeier, Nathan Steffensmeier (Larissa Ferrill), Elton Kruse (Madelyn Swigart), Owen Kruse (Katie Beach), Emmett Kruse, Liam Haeger and Gordon Haeger; two great-grandchildren: Quincy and Calvin Richardson; three sisters: Beth (Paul) Reis of Wheaton, Illinois, Jane (Greg) Zimmerman of Downers Grove, Illinois, Anne Haeger of Marion, Iowa and one brother: Mark (Julie) Haeger of Downers Grove, Illinois.
Reed was preceded in death by his parents; sisters-in-law: Sister Kathleen Hanley, CHM, Laurie Voelker; brothers-in-law: Mark Hanley, Edward Hanley, Eugene Foecke and son-in-law: Ben Steffensmeier.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point.
A time of remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday with Father Gary Beckman officiating at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the West Point American Legion after the burial. Following the luncheon, a celebration of life will be held at the Corner Tap.
Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in West Point.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in his memory for Southeast Iowa Hospice.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.