Reimer, John (1889-1966)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Feb 24 p. 8

Birth date: 1889 Aug 31

text of obituary:

JOHN REIMER

John Reimer was born on Aug. 31, 1889 in Sagradow [sic Sagradovka Colony], South Russia to Johan [sic Johann] and Elizabeth Weddel [sic Wedel] Reimer. He spent his childhood days as well as his youth in the Caucasus. There he received catechetical instruction and upon his confession of Jesus Christ as Saviour of his soul was baptized on the first day of Pentecost, 1910 by Elder Franz Enns, and became a member of the Mennonite congregation.

In that year he was drafted to go into the Forest Service at Wlademier, where he served for three years. During the First World War, from 1914-1917, he served the government also for three years.

When his time of service was finished, he and Susanna Janzen agreed to unite in holy matrimony and thus travel the way of life together. Elder Johann Enns united us in marriage on Feb. 15, 1918.

The Lord has blessed us with his protecting hand in the last 47 years and nine months, first out of the revolution in Caucausia in Russia, then through the Molotschna settlement, into Mexico, then through the United States and finally to the large German Mennonite settlement in and around Clearbrook, B. C. Finally God gave us the joy of being more firmly rooted in the Lynden, Wash. area for 23 years.

The pioneer days in the new country were not easy, and our health suffered greatly. In 1930, at the occasion of special evangelistic services, we dedicated ourselves again to the Lord. In 1943 we were permitted to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary at which our whole family was present.

In our latter days our strength began to fail and weakness appeared rather frequently. We felt that we needed more rest, and thus moved to Clearbrook.

On Nov. 12 my husband felt new pains which increased in intensity. On Nov. 14 he was taken by ambulance to the hospital at Abbotsford. At ten that evening the Lord called and he entered the heavenly portal into the presence of his Lord.

He leaves to mourn his life's companion; three sons, five daughters, three daughters-in-law, five sons-in-law, 37 grandchildren, and one half-sister, Katherine, Mrs. Abe Arendt of Yarrow, B. C.

The sons and daughters are Abe, Ferndale, Wash.; John, Custer, Wash.; Isaak, Blaine, Wash.; Elizabeth, Mrs. William Siemens, New Westminster, B. C.; Susan, Mrs. Dave Peters, Dallas, Ore.; Katherine, Mrs. Peter Petkau, Valley-View, Alberta; Mary Ellen, Mrs. Maynard Voth, Seedro Wooley [sic Sedro Woolley], Wash.; and Doris, Mrs. Sidney Bauman, Everson, Wash. — Mrs. John Reimer and Family.