[4] She then took classes at Oregon State University where she met John R. Reeder.

With her husband conscripted in the military during World War II, Reeder went to work at the Smithsonian Institution under Agnes Chase.

[5] Upon John's return from the war, he took a post at Yale University and the couple moved to Connecticut.

Reeder continued her studies on Muhlenbergia, titling herself "Rogue Botanist".

[5] The genus Reederochloa and species Muhlenbergia reederorum were named in honor of the Reeders by Thomas Robert Soderstrom.