Bruce Dale Reimer, 90
Bruce Dale Reimer passed away of natural causes on March 14, 2017. “He quietly left this earth for heaven after walking faithfully with Jesus” for 90 years.
Bruce was born to John and Daisy Reimer on Feb. 23, 1927, on the family farm in Whitefish. Although he had only an eighth-grade education, Bruce was successful in many endeavors due to a strong work ethic and perseverance. Bruce’s passion was logging. He bought his first bulldozer at the age of 16, and over a 40-year career in the industry made many lifelong friends. In the early years, when he wasn’t logging, Bruce, his sisters and their father spent countless hours clearing timber from the family farm, creating the beautiful pastureland that exists today.
On his birthday in 1955, Bruce married Darlene Liudahl, with whom he raised six children. In their early years, Bruce and Darlene loved to play games and throw parties; their home was a gathering place for family and friends. They enjoyed adventures with their family, often going on long drives to find a secluded spot for a Sunday picnic. Bruce loved to find special places in God’s creation for his family to enjoy, sometimes just to gather wildflowers.
After Darlene’s death in 1971, Bruce married Mary Alice Atkin, who was raising her young nephew, Michel. When Bruce and Mary Alice married, they blended a family of seven children, including Kent, Kurt, Kim, Jill, Janna, Melodie and Michel. Bruce and Mary Alice enjoyed spending time together with the family camping in the Flathead Valley, and in their golden years they enjoyed camping in the Arizona desert and near the Sea of Cortez.
Bruce was devoted to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and served Him faithfully. Bruce and Mary Alice were blessed to serve on many mission trips to South America, and through the years they remained actively involved in Whitefish Church of the Nazarene.
As he became bedridden in his later years, Bruce was lovingly cared for by his family and several special caregivers, most recently the staff at Genesis Health Care. For their devoted care in his final years at home, the family owes a debt of gratitude to Kerry Paulson, Lorna Moss, Mabel Sands and Elizabeth Seymour.
Bruce will be forever missed by his family: sisters, Jo Ann (John) Spurlock and Lorna Isaak; children, Kent Reimer, Kurt Reimer, Kim Harding, Jill Shepherd, Janna Reimer, Melodie Koberg and Michel Reimer, along with their spouses; and many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Clarice, Pauline and Martha; and his beloved wives, Darlene and Mary Alice.
A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, at Whitefish Church of the Nazarene.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be given to Jesus Film Harvest Partners at jesusfilminternational.org.
Austin Funeral Home is caring for the Reimer family.