Pastor Reuben Otto Reimers — Mankato

Pastor Reuben Otto Reimers, 83, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato, on Saturday, March 30, 2013.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 4, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, North Mankato. Visitation will be one hour before services.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Reuben was born to Otto and Elisa (Baumgartner) Reimers on Aug. 16, 1929. He was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Morris. He married the love of his life, Constance Alm on June 7, 1953. He graduated from the seminary in June of 1954. Reuben served his Lord as pastor at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Goodwin and St. John's Lutheran Church in Altamont, S.D., Resurrection Lutheran Church in Rochester, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Moline, Ill., Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, and Zion Lutheran Church in Lynn Township, then he served as pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in North Mankato, for 20 years before he retired in 1996.

He was a man of enduring faith and boundless patience. To know him was to love him. Reuben understood that his life was a journey and the destination of going to heaven was never a question. His greatest joy in life was his family. He shared with his family his love of fishing, and card games. He enjoyed making stained glass art and giving them to family members. He also enjoyed wintering in Weslaco, Texas, with his wife, Connie.

Reuben is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Connie; his son, David (Cindy) Reimers; daughter, Carol (Lee) Eckert; sisters-in-law, Barb (Don) Rilley, June (Rick) Andrew, and Pam Peterson; brother-in-law, John (Kay) Alm; mother-in-law, Marlys Alm; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Patricia Johnson, son-in-law, David Johnson, and father-in-law, Parnel Alm.

Woodland Hills Funeral Home,1605 Woodland Ave. Mankato, MN 56001.507-387-5504.