Reimer, Gerhard J. (1885-1970)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1970 Dec 24. p. 26

Birth date: 1885 May 17

text of obituary:

GERHARD J. REIMER

The obituary of Mr. Reimer was written by his widow, (Mrs.) Margaret Reimer.

My husband was called to his heavenly home on October 2, 1970 and although his work on earth is done, his memory still lingers.

He was born on May 17, 1885, in Wiesenfeld, South Russia. Here he spent his childhood and received his elementary education. Then followed three years of high school and two years of teacher training. He then taught several year and since he was not drafted he later continued his education, studying a further four years in the Teacher Training Institute at Jaroslaw and three years in the University of Kiev. He finished his education in 1915 and was soon drafted into the service. He was first assigned to office duty in Moscow and then to Yalta, in the Crimea.

In spring 1918 he was released from the service and came to live at Tschongrau, Crimea, where he was asked to serve as a teacher in a newly opened Bible school. He was happy in his association with young people and loved them until the end. In his diary in the hospital this summer, he wrote, " Today some of the younger folks visited me and we had a pleasant conversation. How I appreciate such visits!" The principal of one of our Kingsville (Ont.) schools said to me recently, "I lost a friend in your husband's passing," and repeated this several times. My husband had often inquired of him how things were going at the school. A former Bible school student wrote, " Your husband, our brother, teacher and friend, will always be remembered with high esteem ." Many friends have made similar comments, or expressed it with a handshake. A warm thank you for the many sympathy cards and letters.

Although my husband was resigned to be called to his heavenly home, his condition during the summer gradually improved. It was a miracle that he could come home from the hospital for a part of the summer. He wrote about it in the Herald. His interest in life and in other people awakened again. He did a lot of reading and often rested near Lake Erie and enjoyed God's wonderful world of nature. He also wrote many letters on his old typewriter and was always glad to have someone drop in for a visit. He also started to take part in the Sunday school again.

Then a relapse came and after seven precious weeks at home, he had to go back to he hospital. He himself packed a small case with books, including a new Bible (Bruns' translation) which he had just ordered, and a few books on prophecy. He wanted to do much reading and studying and so I also brought him some of his Christian periodicals.

But his strength failed too quickly. Three weeks before his home going, he asked me to take all his books except a Bible home and added, " Very likely I will not read them anymore." A week later he remarked that his Bible was too heavy for him but said that he meditated upon the Word in his soul. May the Bibles which were given in his memory become a real blessing to those who receive them , as he was blessed by the Word of Life. From his diary, I read, "I am thankful to God that I had the privilege of reading the Holy Scriptures." In Psalm 119:111 , we read, "Your testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart."