Daniel E. Reimer was born to David A. and Elizabeth L. (Classen) Reimer on May 1, 1926, at a farm house southeast of Meade. He attended Pleasant Hill, a two-room grade school. Following that he attended Meade Bible School where he sang baritone in a boy's quartet. Dan continued to sing a men's quartet for many years.
At the age of 14, he trusted Jesus as his Savior and committed his life to Him. Dan was baptized on September 5, 1943, by Reverend Henry R. Harms and joined the Emmanuel Mennonite Church on April 16, 1944. One of the first principles he learned was to give a tenth of his income to the Lord's work. Dan trapped coyotes and sold them; this was one of his first experiences of asking and receiving. He prayed for an increase in coyote trapping and sure enough the coyotes began to bite even faster. Dan was faithful in giving his tithe because of this experience and he tried to follow this principle in giving for missions.
At the age of 16, his father died leaving Dan the responsibility of caring for his mother, family, and the farm. At this time, he learned many things by trial and error and dependence on the Lord.
On June 1, 1948, Dan married Martha Loewen and together they became the parents of six children. Dan was a loving father and one of his greatest desires was to have his children follow in the steps of the Lord. One way this was shown was by his commitment to daily morning devotions with the entire family at the breakfast table.
Dan served faithfully in the church. He was a deacon, Junior Department Sunday School teacher, and volunteered as an AWANA leader for 14 years. He also participated in several community organizations, and served on the first board of the Lone Tree Lodge.
Dan was an enthusiastic farmer and always trusted the Lord to bring the harvests. One of Dan's priorities was to provide his children with an opportunity for a college education. All six children obtained a college degree.
In 1994, Dan and Martha moved to town, and he turned the farming business over to his son's. They enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, traveling, and volunteering at the Et Cetera Shop in Liberal.
On June 21, 2005, Dan suffered a severe stroke. He never gave up and went through a lot of physical therapy, improving as much as possible. Dan displayed courage and strength, which came from the Lord. Martha cared for Dan in their home for three and a half years and in his last six months of life were spent at the Lone Tree Retirement Center.
The Lord called Dan to his heavenly home on June 1, 2009, their 61st wedding anniversary. Two of his favorite scriptures were John 6:37 "His that cometh to me I will is no wise cast out." and Philippians 1:21 "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
He is survived by his wife, Martha J. Reimer of Meade, Kansas; his children, Velma Tyson and husband, John of Independence, Missouri, Julie Warkentin and husband, John of Wichita, Kansas, Laura Pearce and husband, Mark of Wichita, Kansas, Sylvia Kuhlmeier and husband, Brett of West Plains, Missouri, Ivan Reimer and wife, Gerri of Meade, Kansas, and Carl Reimer and wife, Angie of Meade, Kansas; a brother, George E. Reimer and wife, Lois of Meade, Kansas; two sisters, Hulda Voth, and husband, Kenneth of Valley Center, Kansas, and Alma Koehler, and husband, George of Meade, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Helen Reimer; fifteen grandchildren, Ashley Reimer, Dylan Reimer, Emmett Reimer, Candice Reimer, Nathaniel Reimer, Brian Reimer, Holly Reimer, and Bethany Reimer, all of Meade, Kansas, Justin Tyson and wife, Breanna of Kansas City, Missouri, Jesse Warkentin, Jamie Warkentin, Jodi Stutzman and husband Joe, all of Wichita, Kansas, Kristianna Kahlmeier of West Plains, Missouri; a great-grandchild, Sierra Tyson of Kansas City, Missouri.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Pete Reimer and Arnold Reimer.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2009, at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Meade, with the Reverend Ken Harder presiding. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friday, at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Graveside services will be in the Emmanuel Mennonite Church Cemetery, rural Meade, at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
The family would welcome memorials to the Emmanuel Mennonite Church or Great Plains Christian Radio in care of the funeral home.