April 3, 1932 - December 16, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing
of a wonderful, devoted husband, father, grandfather,
great-grandfather, uncle and friend. Dad passed away
December 16 with his youngest son, Ken, holding
his hand. His passing came as a shock to us all. Our
father always defied his age, was always doing things
unexpected of someone in their nineties. One of his
favorite sayings, when one of us would complain
about aches and pains or an illness, was “I feel sorry
for you old people”. In the past year he was able
to fish, hunt and collect firewood with his sons,
pastimes he couldn’t get enough of and cherished
deeply. Although we grieve his passing we know he
left on his own terms and that he has
joined our mo m in heaven.
Dad was born near Gronlid, Saskatchewan, the
youngest of 4 boys, to Agnes and Cornelius Reimer.
In Saskatchewan he farmed, built roads, was a welder,
pipefitter and built a refinery. In 1954 he followed his
brothers to BC. He did mechanical work and skidding
in Vanderhoof and worked at a lumber mill and in
construction in Prince George. He bought his own
backhoe in 1959 and ran it until he retired in 1999.
A close friend introduced dad to our mom, Evelyn
Vance and it was love at first sight. They were married
in 1957, settled in Peden Hill next to his in-laws and
raised a family of 5. Our humble father would always
say that mom raised us and did all the real work. We
know otherwise, they were great partners. When
dad wasn’t at work building, deactivating, repairing
roads, bridges and culverts, he was busy with us kids:
camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and trading
stories around a campfire.
Dad was incredibly knowledgeable in so many areas
of life and had skills and abilities that would surprise
everyone. He was a mechanic, pipefitter, plumber,
electrician, machinist, fabricator, blacksmith, road
builder, did his own appliance repair and operated
light and heavy equipment. Dad could dream up
solutions for rigging this or fixing that, solve any
problem or rebuild equipment that he felt was poorly
built. There wasn’t much that he couldn’t repair
or improve upon. Our dad was a kind, humble and
generous person with lifelong friendships that he
treasured.
Predeceased by our mom Evelyn, his parents, his
brothers and his daughter-in-law Louise.
Left to cherish his memory:
His children, Len (Darlene), Mike, Don, Sue (Fausto) and
Ken (Noelia). Grandchildren, Jeremy (Shawna), Jessica,
Lindsey (Brian), Ashley (Arlo) and Brettany (Dane).
Great-Grandchildren, Charlie, Johnny, Jack, Walker,
Rose and Brooks
No service by request