HELEN REIMER

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HELEN REIMER Helen Reimer, the ninth child of Mr. and Mrs. Abram R. Penner, was born on January 24, 1912 at Blumenort, MB. On June 7, 2001 at the age of 89 years, she was called home to be with the Lord. She was the dedicated wife of Rev. Otto F. Reimer for 62 years; he preceded her homegoing in 1997. Helen was raised on her parents farm in Blumenort, several miles north of Steinbach. She accepted the Lord as her Saviour as a young adult, and married Dad in 1935. They had four daughters and three sons, including twin boys who died in infancy. Their first year or two together were spent in Steinbach, where they worked in the family retail business. They then farmed for the next 10 years, two miles northwest of Steinbach, where Mother worked hard at Dads side. In Dads avocation as an auctioneer, Mother was the "writer" (record keeper). In 1947, after a short time in Bible School, Helen and Otto obeyed the call of God to the ministry, pastoring the Sprague Baptist Church for nine years, simultaneously serving churches in South Junction, Vassar and Piney. Later they pastored in Sidney and Carberry for four years. They returned to Steinbach and ministered in the New Bothwell and Steinbach areas for three years, after which they accepted a call to churches at Hilltop and Minnedosa, with the Baptist General Conference. Upon retirement from their ministry in 1970, Mom and Dad accepted a position at Providence College, formerly Winnipeg Bible College, in Otterburne, MB. Here Mother worked in the nursery, pruning, transplanting, picking and selling fruit, besides keeping a vegetable garden and helping at the college as needed. Helen and Otto retired to their Hobby Farm south of Kleefeld in 1977, where God gave them 11 wonderful years together. Their beautifully landscaped yard and garden were enjoyed by all who passed by, as well as by the many who stopped in for coffee, and probably a game or two of scrabble. In 1985 Dad began to suffer his first strokes, and Mother, as always, was at his side. In the nursing home, Mom continued to assist with his meals and personal fellowship. Our Mother leaves five children who will miss her greatly, daughter Clarice and son-in-law Milton Reimer of Fessenden, ND, daughter Jorlean and son-in-law Jeffrey Wiebe of Clearwater, FL, daughter Hildie and son-in-law Menno Kornelsen of Lethbridge, AB, son Earle and daughter-in-law Sandra of Missoula, MT, and daughter Ardys and son-in-law Douglas Sneath of Winnipeg, MB as well as 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Moms most recent great-grandchild was born the day before she died. She is survived also by her sister Mrs. Katherine (Bill) Wiebe, and her brother, Abram D. Penner. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Abram and Suzanna Penner; twin sons, Willard and Weston; two siblings in infancy, one in childhood; sisters, Mrs. Susan (Jake) Fast, Mrs. Margaret (Frank F) Reimer, Mrs. Elizabeth (Ben L) Reimer, and her brother, John D. Penner. As a family, we rejoice in the knowledge that our parents are again together, enjoying the presence of the Lord in that beautiful place that surpasses anything we can imagine. Words are not adequate to express our gratefulness to the staff of ArlingtonHaus, where Mom lived so happily these past three years, and to the staff of Calvary Place, which was Moms beautiful home for the last 39 days. Because of the compassion and love you showed to Mom, we, as a family, had complete confidence in her personal comfort, safety and contentment. Thank you! The funeral will be on Tuesday, June 12 at 2:00 p.m., at the Bethesda Church, on the corner of Grant and Cambridge, in Winnipeg. A viewing will be held at the Klassen Funeral Chapel, 1897 Henderson Hwy., on Monday, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM and at the church prior to the service. The family gratefully accepts gifts to the Gideon Memorial Bible Plan, in memory of our Mother. Opportunity will be provided at the church.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 09, 2001