Mary Reimer

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MARY REIMER
November 13, 1921 - September 7, 2017

Our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Mary Goertzen Reimer, was born to Ben and Aganetha Goertzen, November 13, 1921 in Neuhoffnung, Manitoba. She passed away peacefully Thursday, September 7, 2017, reaching the age of 95 years and 10 months.

As a little girl, Mother moved to Mexico and moved back to Manitoba several years later. Due to a shortage of school clothes, she was taught mathematics at home by her father and consequently was exceptionally quick with mental figuring. Mother began working out at a young age and graced many homes with her presence. She worked for Abe (John Deere) Reimers, Yash Poetkers, C.U. Klassens, Albert Friesens and others caring for children, cleaning, etc. One year she worked at a cannery in St. Catherines. Mother married our widowed father, Daniel F. Reimer, April 12, 1952, a day when the temperature was 95 F. They shared their lives for over 64 years, raising a family of two girls and three boys.

The illness and death of their son Patrick, in 1962, brought Heaven nearer and caused the folks to consider their lives. Upon the confession of her faith, Mother was baptized in October, 1963 into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite. In 1965 the family travelled to Mexico, spending almost two years there as missionaries. This gave Mom the opportunity to be a mother to the 1W boys, serving in alternative service. She had a sense of humour and was not above water fights or playing pranks, such as serving chicken which turned out to be rabbit. This was also a special time that gave Mom the opportunity to reconnect with many of her relatives.

Mom was known as a master cook who could make soups unsurpassed in quality. She honed her skills when working out as a girl and later as the cook in the lumber camps. They lived in various places including the Vogt Apartments, Stonebridge Villas and the Maplewood Manor. Although the folks didn’t possess a lot, they always had enough to give to those in need. Mom was a contented wife and mother who could make something out of little. The folks had many, many friends, making more friends by picking a modest café to dine at, walking out with new friendships. Mom was gracious, compassionate and intuitively sensed the need for a kind touch. The folks opened their home to various children and others who needed a temporary stopping place. Mom loved games and was almost unbeatable at dominoes, Uno and checkers. She suffered a broken ankle, once at home, and again in Mexico.

Mom felt a responsibility to look after Dad as he got older, especially when he picked blueberries. He would disappear into the bush and Mom would sit and wait in the car, praying for his safe return. Her prayer was always answered.

Left to mourn her passing are children: Frank and Edna, Joyce Toews, Brian and Ruth, Danny, Pat Harder, daughter-in-law Karen; grandchildren: Anthony and Susan Reimer, Gwen and Bruce Doerksen, Audrey and Bruno Kampen, Marcel, Becky, Cecile, Stan, Carla and Jamie Penner, Rick and Agnes, Lonnie and Holly, Sid and Monica, Shane and Monica, Matt and Vangie, Staci; 28 great-grandchildren: Luke, Matthew, Paul, Andrew, Robin, Ebony, Oliver, Michaela, Kelsey, Janilee, Krista, Shelby, Benjamin, Lindsey, Chloe, Alex, Elle, Myles, Amos, Cheyanne, Zachary, Hannah, Seth, Taylor, Kennedi, Gracie, Molly and Oliver; one sister and one brother-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one son, four brothers and five sisters.

The funeral service for Mary was held on Monday, September 11, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Steinbach Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Church, Steinbach, MB, with viewing prior to the service. The burial followed at the Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

As published in The Carillon on Sep 11, 2017