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Dean Reimer was born to Howard and Edith Reimer on June 22, 1961, in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. He left us on November 6, 2022, as the result of a tragic farm accident at the age of 61.
His childhood was spent in Canada, where he helped his father with farming and ranching. Howard and his brother, Denver, owned a ranch together in Stettler, Alberta. These families had a close connection and made many good memories. In Dean's mid-teens they moved south to Oklahoma, where they again pursued farming and ranching. This proved challenging, but as time continued, with trial and error and the help of Crop Quest consulting, their efforts became more profitable. Progressive School near Isabella was not only a place to learn but, just as important, a place to make new friends after their recent move.
He accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, in Goltry, Oklahoma, together with his brother, Darcy, on May 21, 1978, by Minister Leroy Wedel. He richly cherished his relationship with Jesus. His warm and loving way with people was his way of pointing them to his Savior.
After spending a day at the Zoo with Benita Regehr and some of her family, he realized that here was someone special. On the way to Almena, Wisconsin, for Boys Preparatory Class, he drove an additional 2,083 miles to have the opportunity to be with her again. They married on May 2, 1982, in Linden, Alberta. She was the love of his life for 40 years.
In the 1980's Dean and his dad pursued planting Bermuda grass to supplement the farm's income. Little did they know that this would be a lifetime business for Dean. Optimistic by nature he pursued different avenues of making income. He relished a good challenge. Welding and improvising to make something work greatly benefited his farm. Hired help were his friends, and he loved and valued each one of them. Bermuda King (a recent addition) took a lot of his time and effort, but it fit his talents and past experience well.
As children he taught us a lot largely by example. Don't be scared to look for work. Own up to your mistakes. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Say I'm Sorry. Love much. Give much. Be sensitive. Your family is important. Don't sweat the small stuff (and it's all small stuff). Laugh a lot. Cry some. Above all serve God.
He was an open person and confided in many people about many things. Being thankful and positive made his world, and our world, a brighter place to be. He cared deeply and wanted to help. He was willing to lend a helping hand, share ideas, advice, love, confidence, courage, and his Faith in God with anyone and everyone. He sensed what made people feel loved. He and his grandchildren shared a special bond. Small things spoke to him: old barns, fall colors, a morning cup of coffee, and quality time with family and those he loved.
At Dad's passing we are reminded of what was at the bottom of his heart: giving time to others, which included youth leader, school board, and service with Christian Disaster Relief. It wasn't as much about making a living as it was that he wanted everyone he met to come to know that they too can accept Jesus as their personal friend and Savior.
Those left with aching hearts include his loving wife, Benita; their children, Jason and Melissa, Andy and Nicki, Robbie and Shayla, Darren and Katelyn, Katie and Michael Haynes, Amy, Cameron, Lindsey, and Mia, all of Ringwood; grandchildren, Karlee, Todd, Justin, Lacey, Jackson, Neil, and Astrid; special adopted sons, Tom Stebly, Nolan Schmidt, Brad Unruh, and Ben Koehn; his parents, Howard and Edith Reimer; father-in-law, Walter Regehr; siblings, Darcy and Nancy, Debra and Calvin Koehn, Tammy and Sheldon Giesbrecht, Scott and Michelle, Heather and David Friesen, Polly and Travis Yost; Benita's brothers and sisters, Dorothy Unruh, brother-in-law, Rawlyn Thiessen, Lyle and Karen Regehr, Connie Regehr and Cordell Cull, Don and Katie Regehr; many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his mother-in-law; two sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; and one nephew, Levi.
Funeral service for Dean will be Friday, November 11, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Ringwood High School Gym. Visitation will be Thursday at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., and the memories service will be at 6:00 p.m. at Pleasant View Mennonite Church in Goltry. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc., of Helena. www.lanmanmemorials.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.
Memorials for Dean may be given to Raising Hope Ranch through the funeral home.
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