Katherine “Katie” Reif, 32, of Litchfield died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at her home.
Visitation was held on Sunday, April 28, at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Carrollton. Funeral services was held on Monday, April 29, at the funeral home. Burial followed the service at the Eldred Memorial Gardens.
Ms. Reif was born June 14, 1991, to Rodney and the late Mary (Siatos) Reif of Carrollton. She attended school in Carrolton and graduated from Carrollton High School with the class of 2009. Ms. Reif was engaged to the love of her life, Spencer Laughlin.
Ms. Reif immensely enjoyed the music program in high school. Family and friends would frequently see Ms. Reif’s smile while she worked at the Dairy Queen in Carrollton while in high school. She continued her education at Blackburn College in Carlinville, graduating with the class of 2013. At Blackburn, her heart turned again to music as she sang in the chorus and participated in Madrigals.
Following college, she worked at the special education pre-K at Adams Elementary in Lincoln. It was here that she found her passion for helping children who just needed that little extra boost. After moving to Litchfield, Ms. Reif found employment at Blackburn College with the Blackburn and Beyond Program. She was employed with this program at the time of her death.
Ms. Reif loved her family and friends beyond measure. One could often find her playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends, or watching Disney movies, the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and the “Harry Potter” series.
Ms. Reif is survived by her father, Rodney Reif, and sister, Jenny Reif, both of Carrollton; fiancé Spencer Laughlin of Litchfield; grandfather Jim Siatos of Alton; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Reif; grandmother Helen Siatos; and grandparents Delmar and Betty Reif.
Memorial donations may be made to the Blackburn and Beyond Scholarship Program or the Adams Elementary Special Ed PreK program.
