Mary Alice Reimer

Mary Alice Reimer passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 after a courageous 40-year battle with multiple sclerosis. She quietly left this earth for heaven, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary Alice was born to Albert and Elsie Atkin on Dec. 23, 1930 in a small town near Winnipeg, Manitoba. She graduated from Winnipeg University with a bachelor’s degree in English and social work, and loved using her degree to help facilitate adoptions in Minneapolis.

She remained unmarried until, encouraged by friends, she met Bruce Reimer, a recent widow and the father of six children. Mary Alice was raising her young nephew, Michel, and when Bruce and Mary Alice married on Sept. 29, 1972. Mary Alice became an instant mother to Kent, Kurt, Kim, Jill, Janna and Melodie.

Bruce and his bride loved 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. Mary Alice was an artist who enjoyed painting beautiful pictures. She loved cats, was an avid flower gardener, and spent time baking special goodies to bless friends and family. She was devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and served him faithfully. Bruce and Mary Alice were blessed to serve on several mission trips to South America, and through the years they remained actively involved in Whitefish Church of the Nazarene.

As she became bedridden in her later years, Mary Alice was lovingly cared for by her family and several special caregivers. The family owes a debt of gratitude to Kerry Paulson, Mabel Rath, Lorna Moss and Elizabeth Seymour for their loving devotion to her.

Mary Alice will be forever missed by her family; husband, Bruce; children, Kent Reimer, Kurt Reimer, Kim Harding, Jill Shepherd, Janna Reimer, Melodie Koberg and Michel Reimer, along with their spouses; 24 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Elizabeth.

A celebration of Mary Alice’s life was held on March 3 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.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Mary Alice’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Mary Alice’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.