Reimer, A. B. (1871-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Nov 27 p. 13

Birth date: 1871 Feb 18

text of obituary:

A. B. Reimer, Sohn von Abr. und Anna Thiessen Reimer, ward am 18. Febr. 1871 in Friedensruh, Südrußland geboren und starb am 16. Okt. 1945 im Halstead Hospital im Alter von 74 J. 7 M. und 29 Tagen. Seine Elementarbildung erhielt er in Rußland. 1884 kam er mit Eltern nach Inman, Kansas. Hier besuchte er die Halstead Fortbildungsschule und dann auch Bethel College, wo er sich für den Lehrerberuf vorbereitete. Er diente mehrere Jahre als Lehrer in Schulen in Harvey, Reno und McPherson County, Kansas, und in Washita Co., Oklahoma und auch in der Regierungsschule zu Cantonment, Okla. Am 11. Dez. 1892 ward er auf seinen Glauben getauft und Glied der Hoffnungsau Mennonitengemeinde, deren treues Glied er blieb. Die Arbeit in der Gemeinde lag ihm immer nahe am Herzen. Er war tätig in der S. Schule und im Jugendverein und diente 25 Jahre als Diakon. Mit wenig Unterbrechung ist er entweder S. S. Superintendent oder Lehrer gewesen über eine Zeitperiode von 50 Jahren. Am 19. Sept. 1903 heiratete er Kathryn Dyck und sie lebten in glücklicher Ehe über 42 Jahre. Zwei Söhne und eine Tochter wurden ihnen geschenkt. Im Herbst 1944 ward er krank und war seitdem Patient im Bethel und Halstead Hospital. In seinem Leiden war er fest in seinem Vertrauen an seinen Heiland und die Familie hat auch in seinem Leiden Segensstunden durchlebt, die sie nie vergessen werden. Er hinterläßt, nebst Gattin, 3 Kinder: Olga zu Aibonita, Puerto Rico; Alvin zu Buhler, Kansas und John zu Washington, D. C.; einen Schwiegersohn, Harry Martens; und 2 Schwiegertöchter, Frau Elisabeth Reimer und Frau Albert Reimer; 5 Enkel, 4 Schwestern, 1 Bruder und viele Freunde. Wenn auch die Familie trauert, so ist es doch in Hoffnung auf ein Wiedersehen im Jenseits. Die Begräbnisfeier war in der Hoffnungsau Kirche und es dienten die Prediger Lester Hostetler, North Newton; A. J. Dyck und C. H. Voth. Ein Quartett von Bethel College und ein Octett von Hoffnungsau und Pred. Henry Fransen sangen. Pred. J. H. Epp, Kingman, diente im Hause.

“Sie gehen hin und weinen und tragen
edlen Samen, und kommen mit Freuden
und bringen ihre Garben.”

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Oct 25 p. 5

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— Funeral services for A. B. Reimer were held last Sunday afternoon at the Hopeview church at Inman, of which he was a member. The services were in charge of Rev. A. J. Dyck who was assisted by Rev. C. H. Voth and Rev. Lester Hostetler of North Newton. Special music included numbers by the Bethel College male quartet, the Hopeview male quartet, a solo by Mrs. Henry Franzen and a marimba number by Verna Voth.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Nov 1 p. 3

text of obituary:

A. B. REIMER

A. B. Reimer, son of Abraham and Anna Thiessen Reimer, was born in Friedensruh, South Russia, February 18, 1871, and departed this life on the evening of October 16, 1945, at the Halstead Hospital, seven minutes past ten o'clock, after approximately a year's illness.

He attained the age of 74 years, 7 months, and 29 days. His primary education was received in the elementary schools of South Russia. In 1884, at the age of 13, he immigrated to America with his parents, where he then continued his formal education. His secondary education was received at the Halstead Seminary and Bethel College, where he prepared himself for the teaching profession. For a number of years he taught in the schools of Harvey, Reno, and McPherson county, Kansas, and in Washita county, Oklahoma, as well as in the government Indian School in Cantonment, Oklahoma.

On December 11, 1892, at the age of 21 years, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith by Elder Dietrich Gaeddert, and was received into the Hopeview church, of which he remained a loyal member until his departure from this life. The work of the church was always close to his heart. He was active in the Sunday School, Christian Endeavor, and also served as deacon of the Hopeview church for 25 years. With little interruption he was either Sunday School superintendent or teacher for over 50 years in churches of Kansas, Oklahoma, and California.

On September 19, 1903 he was united in marriage to Kathryn Dyck, with whom he shared his joys and sorrows for a period of more than 42 years. To this union were born three children, two sons, and one daughter.

In 1894 he homesteaded in Oklahoma, later moving to Kansas, where he spent most of the rest of his life. In 1943 he retired from his farming operations and moved to Buhler, Kansas.

His illness began in the fall of 1944, and for the past year he was intermittenly [sic] a patient at the Bethel and Halstead hospitals.

During this period of much suffering he manifested an enobling [sic] spirit that was the essence of patience, courage, and a sincere trust in the Saviour, whom he had learned to love. The spirit of reverence was enveiled {sic] about his sick-bed, unceasingly, and was imparted upon all who came to visit him.

The departed leaves to survive, his wife, Mrs. Kathryn Reimer, three children, Olga of Aibonito, Puerto Rico, Alvin of Buhler, Kansas, and John of Washington, D. C.; one son-in-law, Harry Martens; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth Reimer, and Mrs. Alberta Reimer; five grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. J. W. Regier of Elkhart, Mrs. Anna Bargen of Inman, Mrs. A. R. Regier of Hesston, and Mrs. H. A. Wiens of Bessie, Okla.; and one brother B. A. Reimer of Cordell; and a large number of friends and relatives hwo mourn his departure.

He was a kind and loving husband and father, always interested in showing us the Christ-like Way of Life, as he saw it. Though the eye be tear bedimmed we sorrow not as those without hope, but endeavor to meet him in the Great Beyond.

I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead — He is just away
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land.

And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there,
And you— O you — who the wildest yearn
For the old-time step and the glad return —

Think of him faring on — as dear
In the love of There, as the love of Here
To simple things — Where violets grew
Blue as the eyes they were likened to

The touches of hid hands have strayed
As reverntly [sic] as his lips have prayed;
Think of him still as the same, I say;
He is not dead! He is just away.

Funeral services were held at the Hopeview church on Sunday afternoon, October 21, at two o'clock. Ministers in charge were Rev. A. j. dyck, Rev. C. H. Voth, and Rev. Lester Hostetler of North Newton. Rev. J. H. Epp of Kingman conducted the services at the home. Music was furnished by a mixed quartet of Bethel College and the men's chorus of Hopeview; Mrs. Henry Franzen sang a solo. Vera Voth furnished marimba music while Mrs. Ferd Regier and Marianna Goertz seved [sic] as organist and pianist respectively. Interment was in the Hopeview cemetery.

A lunch was served in the church basement by the Hopeview church to all attending. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1945 Nov 6 p. 4