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 mom 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 areasof 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.
Published in the Prince George Citizen on January 9, 2025.