Wilbert 'Bill' Remmers, 100
Wilbert “Bill” Remmers, 100, passed away peacefully at his home in Luther Park Assisted Living in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Monday, June 27, 2016.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., on July 23, 2016, at the First Lutheran Church with Pastor Lori Morton officiating.
Bill was born May 7, 1916, in St. Louis, Mo.; he was one of four children born to Emil Remmers and Adelie Simonsen Remmers.
He grew up in the family home on Itaska Street in St. Louis and attended Cleveland High School, graduating in 1934.
Bill met the love of his life, Barbara Jean Fenimore, and they married on May 27, 1939.
He joined the Naval Reserve in 2939 and went into active duty at the start of World War II, serving on board the USS Prairie from 1941 to 1945. After the war he returned home to his wife and young daughter and they eventually had two more children.
Bill worked in the construction business in the 1950s, overseeing jobs as a foreman for Bank Builder’s, Inc. In 1958 he was sent to the small town of Sandpoint, Idaho, to help build First Federal Saving & Loan. He fell in love with the little town on the beautiful lake and decided this was where he wanted to raise his family.
Bill went to work for Sandpoint Furniture in the early 1960s where he worked until his retirement. He was an avid fisherman, a master carpenter, a longtime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He served as Exalted Ruler in 1974-75 and in 1981 he was the District Deputy Exalted Ruler for the Elks Lodges in Northern Idaho.
He and Barbara were members of The First Lutheran Church. He was also a singer of songs, loved to jitterbug with his sweetheart and was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal’s fan.
After the death of his wife, Barbara, Bill came to live at Luther Park Assisted Living in Sandpoint. It became the home he loved and the people who cared for him there became part of his loving family.
He is survived by his children and their spouses,Sherry (Leslie) Gropp of Boise, Idaho, Holly (Richard) Woods of Walton, Ore., Steve (Sheri) Remmers of Sandpoint and “adopted” son, John (Janet) Scott of Sagle. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, his dear sister-in-law Janet Remmers and longtime friend Mary Verdal.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Clara, Harold and Richard; a baby daughter, Kathleen Sue; and his beloved wife of 67 years, Barbara.
The family would like to thank River City Hospice and a special thanks to Big Jim at Luther Park Assisted Living. He will be forever remembered for his love of God, family and country.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.
Please visit Bill’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.