Annie Reimer

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ANNIE SCHAPANSKY REIMER
Jan. 14, 1924-Apr. 16, 2017

Annie Schapansky Reimer, age 93, of Steinbach, MB, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Apr. 16, 2017, after an extended stay at Bethesda Regional Health Centre while awaiting placement for a local nursing home.

She is survived by her beloved children, Irene (Gerald) Brown, Wes Reimer, Dorothy (Ed) Barkman, Brenda (Leroy) Penner, Sharon (James) Sagnes, Joanne (Trevor) Salisbury, Jacqueline (Steve) Friesen and their families which include 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She Is also survived by four sisters-in-law.

Anne was predeceased by her parents Heinrich and Katherine Schapansky, her siblings, her husband Peter B. Reimer in 1993, son-in-law Laverne Penner in 2012, and two infant great-grandchildren.

She was born on Jan. 14, 1924 in Osler, SK. She was the youngest of eight children, four of whom died before Mom’s birth.

She started school in Rabbit Lake area (formerly known as Sand Beach), SK. When she was 13 the family moved to Steinbach. She worked as a domestic help for a number of years to supplement the family income and then also worked at the Steinbach Hatchery. She studied at Steinbach Bible Institute for a term during these years. She was baptized on July 26, 1942 at the Blumenort EMC by P.P. Reimer.

Her father passed away suddenly just a few days before Christmas when Mom was almost 21. After this, Mom was responsible for supporting her mother. When there was an opening at the Alten Heim, they both moved in while Mom continued to work at the hatchery before taking on cleaning duties at the Rest Haven. It was while living and working at the Rest Haven that Mom met a young orderly named Peter Reimer. He became her husband in September of 1947 after a short courtship, which started with an invitation to sit under the apple tree.

In 1960, Dad and Mom became deacons in the Steinbach EMC. This was a lifelong calling which they took on with earnest zeal. Making visitations was a regular part of their lives as well as singing for shut-ins and the elderly. Over the years, Mom was actively involved in various aspects of church work, including teaching Nursery Sunday School, the Cradle Roll program, Sewing Circle and Mission Sisters, and Food Coordinator for many church functions. Mom was a homemaker for most of her years, but when the children were grown she became a Home Care worker.

She enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens, taking special care of her houseplants even into her later years. She did lots of canning and freezing to keep her family well fed. Mom spent many hours at the sewing machine making lovely dresses for all her girls and mending Dad’s work overalls. She was very organized and systematic about cleaning and taught us to appreciate a well-kept home. In later years, she knit booties and caps for newborns through the hospital auxiliary. We all knew Mom loved birds and pets, especially cats. She enjoyed raising the occasional lost chick in the back yard until it was the right size to become a family meal.

As a family we were in awe of how well our mom adapted to life as a widow after our dad died in 1993. Especially remarkable was the fact that at 70 she had the determination to get her driver’s license and drove for the next 10 years, offering her driving services to friends who needed rides to appointments and church events. She continued to serve as a deacon, even without Dad at her side, showing hospitality to many relatives, church guests and missionaries over the years. She was a gracious hostess, which is how many people knew her.

Our mother loved the Lord and lived a life of faith, which was an example to all of us. Her love, support and encouragement for us and our children was accompanied by her prayers. We miss you Mom, your beautiful smile, your kind, caring spirit, your sense of humour, and how Christ shone through you. We’re rejoicing with you that you could go to your heavenly home on Easter morning, having lived a good and long life. We will see you again.

Heartfelt thanks to the Home Care staff at Fernwood Place where Mom lived for 10 years, the Silver Lining staff, and first floor staff at Bethesda Hospital during the last five months of her life. Thank you to Drs Jessica Allan and Darren Reimer who cared for our mom during her hospital stay.

A viewing service will be held on Friday, Apr. 21 at 3 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 4 at 2:30 p.m. at the Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church, 422 Main St in Steinbach.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Steinbach EMC Missions or Bethesda Auxiliary.

Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel
1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030.

As published in The Carillon on Apr 18, 2017