Rachel Reimer, Who Worked With Her Husband At Kenny Lake Community Chapel

 Rachel Reimer 

November 1928 - September 25th, 2023  

Rachel Reimer was born to Abraham T. and Helena Ratzlaff Loewen on November 12, 1928, in Jansen, Nebraska. She passed away on September 25, 2023, at 94 years of age. 

Shortly after Rachel was born, her family moved back to Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada after her father finished some schooling in Jansen. 

Rachel accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior when she was a young teen and was active with a youth group that went to neighboring communities to sing, tell Bible stories, and share God's Word with others. She felt the call to serve the Lord in whatever area He might choose. She enrolled at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska for the fall of 1952. During this time, she met and fell in love with Johnny Reimer (deceased). Shortly before she left for school, and Johnny left for Kansas City, Missouri for orientation with Gospel Missionary Union (now Avant Ministries), she received an engagement ring from him. While they thought wedding plans were uncertain, God had His plans worked out. Johnny and Rachel were married on July 8, 1953, in Steinbach, Manitoba, and the theme of their wedding was "Together with Him." They returned to Grace Bible Institute that fall for their final year of school.

The first pastorate was in Poplar, Montana followed by a small church in Lustre, Montana. From there they accepted a pastoral invitation to Marion, South Dakota followed by churches in Meade, Kansas; Auke Bay, Alaska; Kenny Lake Community Chapel, Copper Center, Alaska; and Douglas Island Bible Church, Douglas, Alaska. Wherever they served, Rachel would be found helping wherever she could often ministering to and with the women of the church, singing with the children, preparing special programs and singing in special small groups. She also taught at Good News Clubs, taught Sunday School and mentored others. Of the 67+ years of their marriage, 50 of those were spent in pastoral ministry.

Rachel also believed in hiding God's Word in her heart, and often challenged the children in the churches she and Johnny served to memorize scripture. During the later years of her life as her memory began to fade, Rachel still could remember songs and Bible verses that meant so much to her.

Rachel is survived by her 3 daughters, Rachel Marie (Myron Reimer) of Meade, Kansas, Ruth (John Johnson) of Battle Creek, Michigan, and Becky (Bob Baxter) of Independence Oregon. She is also survived by her 8 grandchildren and their spouses, Christina (Pat Hamblin), Sondra (Tim Armstrong), Timothy (Shanna Reimer), David (Kristen Johnson), Sandy (Andrew McFarland), Karen (Derek Owens), Kelly (Alan Casey), and Erica (Erik Hayworth).

She is also survived by 20 great grandchildren: Carson, Abigail, and Jackson Hamblin, Jonny, Sarah, Benji, Gabriel, and Lydia Armstrong, Ziona and Maximus Reimer, Zoey and Lena McFarland, Elliott, Evelyn, Peter, and Wyatt Owens, Eva and Orrin Casey, Emerson and Everett Hayworth.

Rachel is also survived by three half-brothers, Waldy Loewen, Ray Loewen, and Lavern Loewen.

Rachel is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and six brothers and two sisters.