Margaret T. Reimer

She is survived by her daughter, Diane K. Reimer. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Pete C. Reimer in 2010.

Giving her all to the Lord and to serving others, Margaret donated her body to Kansas University Medical Center for research.

A memorial service will be held June 9, 2014, at 10:00 AM, at Grace Fellowship Church, 10201 W. 127th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Margaret's name to The Good Samaritan Society-Olathe, or to Advice & Aid

Pregnancy Centers, P.O.Box 7123, Shawnee Mission, KS 66207.

Margaret Reimer had the gift and privilege of being able to live her long life fully, to the very end. She was born in the Mennonite community

of Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada, to loving & devout Christian parents. "We grew up with the teaching that we should not complain", she said,

& true to this teaching, she always found a way, even when life put serious obstacles in her path. Margaret was the youngest of nine Friesen

children, & was born with a congenital hip defect, plus rheumatic fever when in the 7th grade, resulting in frequent medical treatment.Cutting

short her formal education at 8th grade, she enrolled in a correspondence course in sewing and became adept at this skill. She could design

& make her own clothing as well as for many family members. She was a great inspiration to all who knew and loved her, for her many skills in

quilting, knitting and crocheting. She maintained a true spirit of of humility, a trust in the Lord, & a determination to overcome life's obstacles.

In 1945, when Margaret's sister, Helen, lost her husband at age 37, her family decided that since Margaret was single, she should make the move

from her home in Steinbach, Manitoba, to Meade, Kansas, to help her sister, Helen who had a dairy farm and three young children to raise. Here is

where Margaret met a handsome young farmer/ rancher, Pete C. Reimer. They married in 1951 and in 1953, they became the proud parents of a

beautiful daughter, Diane Katherine. Diane, a delightful & happy child was found to have cerebral palsy and hearing impairment. Her parents lives

revolved around the needs of their child, as they sought the best possible medical and educational locations. This took them from the farm, to the

city of Wichita, KS in 1959, where Diane attended the School of Logopedics. Her daddy, found work as a mechanic on big machinery at Caterpillar.

The next move came in 1963 to Olathe, KS, where Diane attended and graduated from Kansas School for the Deaf. Pete was again able to find

work at Dean's Machinery, where he worked until retirement. God went before them and always provided work, close church relationships & lasting

friendships over the years. Margaret did a lot of volunteer work at KSD, opened their home for Child Evangelism classes for deaf children & was

always a gracious hostess & loved the art of cooking. Diane was able to get a job at the Hyer Boot company, where she worked, drove her own car

& lived independently for many years. In 1989, Pete and Margaret sold the home they had built, and moved into a Good Samaritan Towers, a

retirement center, where they again enjoyed the fellowship, many activities & Margaret again leading in quilting & various crafts. Following Pete's stroke,

& Margaret no longer having the strength to care for him, he moved to The Good Samaritan Center, for assisted living. Margaret and Diane were both

able to join him there after he had been there about four years. They were such a beautiful, loving example of giving and caring for one another, as

well as touching the hearts and lives of everyone around them. Pete passed away in 2010, leaving a great void in the lives of Margaret & Diane, but

again, their strong faith in the Lord, and desire to bless and serve others marked her strength of character. Until the day that she entered the Olathe

Medical Center, she continued to enjoy sharing her handiwork of numerous knitted sweaters for World Vision, baby quilts for Crisis Pregnancy centers

crocheting hot pads. Just recently she made the comment, "I just sit down and a hot pad happens"! After watching "Martha Stewart Cooking", she made

her a special set of large hot pads & sent them to her, & received a nice letter of acknowledgment from Martha herself! She engaged many others in her

love of working with yarn and fabric, even motivating severely disabled & those who thought they could not participate. Margaret has definitely left an

enduring legacy of Christ-like love and compassion that will continue to grow in the hearts of those whose lives she touched in her 93 years of being

faithful with her many God given talents.

Margaret was the last family member of her generation, & we of her family will miss her greatly. Especially her loving daughter, Diane. who has many

of the same skills of sewing and knitting that her mother had & has a deep faith and trust in her God to sustain her.

To God be the glory, for a life well lived!

A Loving Tribute by Ralph Friesen & Lawrence & Ellen Friesen

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