Almon Menno Reimer

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ALMON REIMER
October 7, 1923 - December 24, 2017

Almon Menno Reimer, of Steinbach, Manitoba, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 24, in the Steinbach Bethesday Health Center. Almon was predeceased by his wife, Annie Sawatzky Reimer, his brothers: Enoch Reimer, Rueben Reimer and Joel Reimer, five sister-in-laws and two brother-in-laws. Almon is survived by his five children: Larry Reimer (Viola), Rebecca Kornelson (Gordon), Marlene Reimer (Jim), Verna Reitmeier (Bob), Julie Reimer Fehr (Matthew), 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grand children. He is also survived by his sister, Mary, brother, Arnold, five sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law.

Almon, son of John C. and Maria Reimer, was born on Oct. 7, 1923 in Blumenhof, Manitoba. Almon began his life in the school teacherage (which is the combination of school and teacher’s residence) , as his father was a teacher at the Blumenhof School at this time. John C. was Almon’s teacher throughout his schooling from Kindergarten to grade 8.

Dad’s childhood was a happy one with typical boyhood adventures. When Almon was 3, he accompanied his mother on a horse drawn wagon to visit a relative. Maria had brought her rising dough along to bake while she visited. Along the way the horse got spooked and ended up having the wagon, Maria and her rising dough, and little Almon upturned in the ditch. Almon broke his collarbone in this accident.

After grade 8, Almon got his first job at a local business called Plettville. The Pletts owned several businesses, one of which was a cheese box factory. Almon often recalled a traumatic event that changed the course of his life. As an inexperienced 15 year old handling a table saw he cut off the ends of 2 fingers. While he was recovering from this he attended Farmer School in Steinbach, and stayed at his grandparents house for the duration. One day, as he walked from Blumenort (where his parents now lived) to Steinbach, he came across some young girls who thought it would be fun to attract this handsome country boy’s attention by throwing their picnic buns at him. One pretty young thing, caught his eye: little Annie Sawatzky. They would begin meeting in Steinbach for walks and many skating evenings. Almon was so motivated to see her that he’s walked all the way from Blumenort to Steinbach on cold winter evenings. Almon and Annie married on Aug. 12, 1945.

During the II World War Almon was notified to come before the judge to defend his Conscientious Objector status. His CO status was accepted and he was allowed to work at Plettville as it was considered an essential service by the Canadian government. He also helped farmer’s harvest as far away as Neepawa. Another job he worked at during this time was at a lumber camp near Roblin, Manitoba. Almon remembered travelling up to Roblin on a train filled with soldiers and army personal who were on their way to military training. As a young country boy, holding his sack of belongings with the axe handle sticking out of the bag, he sat quietly trying not to attract attention, knowing the other passengers may not understand his background.

During this time, Almon and Annie corresponded by letter. Almon shared with her how he became a Christian when a Pentecostal preacher spoke at the lumbercamp and convicted him of giving his life to Christ. This began his lifelong faith journey. Almon was baptised upon the confession of his faith in 1943. Almon’ diary notes that this experience made him feel the closest to God he’d ever been.

Almon and Annie (daughter of Jacob A. and Helen Sawatzky of Steinbach) married on August 12, 1945, officiated by Peter D. Friesen, at the Kleine Gemeinde church which is now the Steinbach EMC. They shared this happy day in a double wedding with her sister, Margaret and Frank Friesen. For their honeymoon they took the old number one highway to Kenora. While there they could hear the noisy celebrations marking the end of the second World war.

While Almon and Annie loved their first little home, located on the corner of Brandt Road and what is now Loewen Blvd. , Almon had bigger dreams. They purchased a parcel of land just around the corner to build their dream house. Larry Almon was their firstborn child in 1947. At nights when baby Larry was restless, the young father would carry him over to the new lot to soothe him, imagining just where to build the new house. Rebecca Ann came next; a little girl to enliven the little family.

After the move to the new house, brown-eyed Marlene Helen and impish Verna Kathleen, blessed the family. Almon and Annie worked hard, tending a large garden, to feed these lively, hungry children. Lastly, to top off the family, came the darling Julianna Marie. Almon’s children remember happy times of fishing trips, weiner roasts, almost yearly holidays at Clear Lake, road trips and good family times. Almon and Annie felt privileged to travel to coast to coast Canada, Europe and Israel, where they ‘walked where Jesus walked’.

To continue with Almon’s career, his next job was at the Brandt Foundry. While there, Almon helped smelt several discontinued Lysander aluminum WWII aircraft to make new parts. It was probably here where Almon learned the trade of tin-smithing. Arnold, Almon’s youngest brother, recalls Almon installing their farmhouse furnace back in the early 50’s.

Almon also had a long career working at Friesen Machine Works. Many farmers regretted the day when Almon finally retired from his job as machinist and welder after 44 years of service. Arnold also notes that Almon was one of very few welders who knew how to weld ‘white’ metal, a delicate and skilled operation.

Almon was not one to sit back so after a few days of retirement, went on to a 16 year volunteer service at the local MCC Thrift stores, fixing many bicycles and other objects for re-sale.

Almon served God quietly but whole heartedly, as a member of many church committees, singing in a group for ‘shut-ins’, as a leader in Christian Service Brigade, sand-bagging for various floods, as a MCC Relief Sale volunteer and one stint as a Mennonite Disaster Service volunteer repairing houses in Texas.

We remember Dad picking up a local man, suffering from mental health issues, for coffee on many a Saturday, we remember Dad slipping cash into someone’s hand when they were in need, we also remember Dad and Mom working hard to prepare a home for a refugee family. Dad’s faith in God was always evidenced by his prayers, his Godly living, his generosity and caring. Almon will always be an inspiration and example of how to live one’s faith.

About ten years ago Dad was diagnosed with COPD, probably from many years of welding. Almon’s life became progressively more difficult as his breathing became laboured and he was forced to seek medical help on numerous occasions. On Dec. 3, 2017, Dad went into the hospital for the last time; being released from his suffering at 4:35 Christmas Eve morning.

We, his family, would like to thank the residents at Parkview for becoming his second family for the last few years, after the painful decision to sell the family home was made. Mom’s passing in 2012 left a big hole in dad’s life; life just wasn’t the same anymore. He missed her dearly.

Thank you also for visits, prayers and caring we experienced the last few weeks.

The funeral service will be held Sunday, December 31, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., at the Steinbach EMC, 422 Main Street, Steinbach, MB, with interment at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

Donations in memory of Almon may be made to Mennonite Central Committee or Steinbach EMC.

Arrangements by
BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Dec 28, 2017