DR. ANN LEA REISER

VALPARAISO, INDIANA

Dr. Ann Lea Reiser, Associate Professor Emeritus of Education.

Ann Lea Reiser, age 70, of Valparaiso passed away on March 14, 2009 at the Horton hospice center. She was born on March 7, 1939 in Lansing, MI to Arthur G. and Orlena (Nest) Reiser who preceded her in death. She is survived by her cousin Edward Reiser and his family of Woodland, MI, and by many dear friends.

A graduate of Eastern High School in Lansing, she attended Concordia University-Chicago to prepare for the teaching ministry of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. After graduating in 1962 she taught first grade at Peace Lutheran School in Detroit, MI for 6 years and attended Michigan State University where she received a Master's degree with a specialization in reading in 1969. She then returned to Concordia University- Chicago as an Assistant Professor of Education where she taught until 1974. Returning to Michigan State, she received her Ph. D. in 1979 with a specialization in the teaching of reading. She joined the Valparaiso University faculty in 1977 and retired in 2008.

Dr. Reiser was a master teacher who loved her students and was loved in return. In addition to her work in teaching of reading and children's literature, a generation of teachers received their introduction to the use of computer technology in her course, "Computers in Education" which she developed at Valparaiso. She was active in campus ministry and was a dedicated member of many university and department faculty committees. In later years she represented the university at the Lutheran Education Association. A member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, for many years she assisted the pastors in instructing children in preparation for confirmation. While serving as chair of the Board of Spiritual Care at Immanuel, she represented Porter County Lutheran congregations as one of the first women delegates to the official convention of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod. When not at her life's work of teaching and ministry, she loved camping and travel.

Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Donald H. Williams at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 N. Monticello Park Dr, Valparaiso, at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 19, 2009. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd, Valparaiso. Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Ann L. Reiser Fund at Valparaiso University.

Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing, Michigan.