Charles Herbert Reimer

Charles Herbert Reimer was born February 7, 1928 to Gustav and Justina Harder Reimer in Newton, Kansas, the third of five children. He went home to heaven on November 26, 2023 at the age of 95.

He grew up on a wheat and livestock farm east of Whitewater, Kansas. Charles attended grade school at a one-room schoolhouse in Brainard and graduated from the former Whitewater Hight school. He attended Bethel Academy.

As a young child he was taught the importance of being in a church community of faith, and where the Bible was honored as God’s word. His parents took their family to Emmaus Mennonite Church, a country church near Whitewater. It was there, while in his teens, that he made the decision and commitment to call Jesus Christ his Savior and Lord.

When in third grade, his teacher gifted him with two small books, Birds of America, which Charles treasured. Learning about and being profoundly amazed by God’s intricate designs in birds, animals, plants and terrain was a large part of his entire life, and also something that he taught his children to notice. He greatly enjoyed taking his family to the Audubon presentations, on many camping trips, to Kansas lakes and to visit Rocky Mountain National Parks.

Charles met Donna Nunnenkamp on a blind date and they were married on October 22, 1950.Their first child, Deborah Joy, was born in 1951, followed by Charlynn Gaye in 1954, Charles Evan in 1955, Donald Kevin in 1956, and Donna DeAnne in 1963.

Charles began building a house for his family in 1956, four miles from Valley Center, while also working a full time job and farming 80 acres that he rented. This home became a family gathering place throughout the years.

He began employment at Coleman Company in Wichita which he remained at for 40 years until his retirement in 1990. Following retirement, he and Donna enjoyed nearly 30 years of tending their land near Walton. Early on, they planted native grasses and Austrian Pines. Charles dug ponds with a six-foot Tumblebug that he pulled behind his John Deere tractor, making hundreds of rounds cutting one inch at a time. For years, they would load their suburban every week with 30 milk jugs filled with water for the trees. They would take their lunch, watch wildlife and relax in the peaceful setting of God’s amazing creation. They were often helped on projects by grandsons who lived nearby. For their 60th wedding anniversary, those two grandsons totally restored a John Deere Model B tractor - which surprised and greatly pleased Charles!

Charles leaves his wife Donna of 73 years; daughters Debbie (Dan) Kauffman of Kalispell, Montana, Char of Valley Center, DeAnne (John) Hoch of Wilson; sons Charlie (Ruth) of Newton, and Don of Walton; daughter-in-law Sheryl of Newton; grandchildren - Joylynn, Joshua, Caleb, Heather, Haylee, Katie, Stewart, Aaron, Jared, and Carson; great-grandchildren Marissa, Phoenix, Sawyer, Charlotte, Lydia, Gideon, Samantha, Charles James, Alissa, Jones, Gus, Kamerson, Zavier, and Jackson Charles; sister-in-laws Gladys Reimer, Nadine Nunnenkamp, and Jeanette Nunnenkamp.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Gus (Berneice) and John; sisters Marieand Doris; niece Cindy; in-laws Wayne (Georgine) Nunenkamp, Allen (Cecille) Nunnenkamp, Mardelle (Delmar) Spoering, Stan Nunnenkamp and Gary Nunnenkamp.

The family would like to thank the staff at Kansas Christian Home and Good Shepherd Hospicefor their kindness and care of Charles. Memorials may be sent to Special Olympics Kansas,5280 Foxridge Drive, Mission, KS 66202 or the American Bible Society at PO Box 96812,Washington DC 20090-6812.

A Celebration of Life and light luncheon will be held at Kansas Christian Home (1035 SE 3rd St, Newton), at 3:30 on December 5, 2023.

In closing, Charles wanted everyone reading this obituary to see these words: For God so loved the word that he gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16