Margaret Reimer

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MARGARET REIMER
Apr. 17, 1920-July 11, 2016

Mom passed away peacefully on Monday, July 11, 2016 at the age of 96 years.

She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children and their families: Iris and Cliff Dirks, Robin Dirks and Erick Pay, Kian and Keira; Wren and Renata Dirks, Sophia and Axel; daughter-in-law Melissa (Jay) Dirks; Sylvia and Victor Peters, Janna (Peters) and Brendan Penner, Brody and Allegra; Marisa (Peters) and Rory Wiebe, Courtney and Kayla; Cherie (Peters) and Galen Peters, Hayley, Carson, Rylan; Sandi (Peters) and Jared Toews, Cameron, Brooke, Kash; Kenneth and Nelly Reimer, Kristy (Reimer) and Nathan Bakker, Sam, Jack, Peter; Theresa (Reimer) and Fred Folkerts, Emily, Caleb, Micah; David, Tobin, Jessica (Reimer) and Dan Folkerts, Aliyah, Gavin, Claire; Violet, Michael and Melanie Reimer, Avery and Elise; and Beverly Reimer. She is also survived by five sisters, two sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law.

Margaret was predeceased by her loving husband Walter R. Reimer, her parents Abram L. and Mary Reimer, three sisters, four brothers, five brothers-in-law and one grandson Jay.

She had a deep faith in her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, living a life filled with joyful service in the church and in the surrounding communities. Mom sang in the church, taught Sunday School and VBS, participated in sewing circle and Women’s Ministries, evangelical street meetings, hospital and Bible school practical service, piano playing and elder service with her husband Walter.

Margaret attended Steinbach Bible School for two years, a highlight being the many verses she memorized in English and German. She continued to study her Bible carefully all her life and kept many notebooks of her studies. She worked as a missionary helper for a summer with the Bill Wiebes in Stuartburn and told many stories of her experiences there.

The only one born in Canada of 13 children, she grew up in Kansas and Texas, moving back to Manitoba with the family where she met Walter. She married the love of her life in Steinbach on July 26, 1945 and had 70 years of happy marriage.

She loved to travel with Walter, keeping a detailed journal of their many interesting trips as well as everyday life, its joys and struggles. She described the many beautiful vistas, flower gardens and family visits along the way.

Mom worked briefly as a housekeeper for Dr Shilstra, as well as a mother’s helper for many young mothers in Steinbach. She also cooked for her father’s construction gang on two different locations before she was married.

Family was very important to her, witnessed by hours spent sewing wardrobes and blankets for her sisters and nieces going overseas as well as other missionaries. For all these years the family faithfully corresponded with a round robin letter passed along from home to home. Every inch of paper was used to keep it light enough for the many miles it travelled by air.

She loved nothing better than getting visits from her grandchildren right up to the day she died. Christmas family gatherings were the highlight of the year, especially when the little ones all gathered around her.

Mom exhibited her love for God in many ways. We love you Mom and will miss you deeply.

The family would like to thank the Home Care staff and the Bethesda Hospital staff for their compassion and care for Mom these past months. We also wish to express appreciation and gratitude for all the prayers, words of encouragement, cards and expressions of sympathy received from family and friends.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 14 at 11 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy 52 W, Steinbach, MB, with the interment to follow at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Margaret may be made to the Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church - Mission Fund, Steinbach, MB.

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

As published in The Carillon on Jul 12, 2016