Brewster, MN
James “Jim” Harold Reitmeier, age 57, was born on October 4, 1956, in Sibley, IA, the son of Harold and Lettie (Freeman) Reitmeier. Jim spent his childhood in Bigelow. He left high school early to go into the Army for two years, where he got his GED. Jim married Ardella Klaassen on January 27, 1978. He then attended Pipestone Vocational School for bricklaying. The couple lived in Worthington where they had Amie and Jamie. They then moved to Texas so Jim could work year round. While in Texas their third child, Jesse, was born. Jim, Ardella and their children spent ten years in Texas before moving back to southwest Minnesota. After moving back, they started their own masonry business which the whole family helped out with. When Jim’s boys graduated from high school they joined the family business.
Jim’s favorite hobby was fishing. He could sit out on a lake all day and not catch anything but he loved it. He also enjoyed playing pinochle, gambling, taking care of his plants, flowers and birds, watching the Vikings, and spending time with his family. Jim died on Monday, March 17, 2014, at his residence in Brewster, MN.
Left to cherish Jim’s memory are his wife, Ardella of Brewster, MN; his children, Amie (Paul) Croatt and their children, Alexis and Reese of Melvin, IA, Jamie Reitmeier and his children, Alaina and Samantha of Worthington, MN, and Jesse (Cathy) Reitmeier and their children, William and Matthew of Worthington, MN; his mother, Lettie Reitmeier, and his siblings, Diane (Jim) Vellema, Al (Connie) Reitmeier, and Jan (Dave) Henningsen. He also leaves behind many in-laws, and nieces and nephews on the Reitmeier and Klaassen side. He was preceded in death by his father, Specks Reitmeier and his father-in-law, Irvin Klaassen.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 21, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN, with Pastor David McDonald officiating. Casket bearers will be Al Reitmeier, Jim Vellema, Dave Henningsen, Mark Klaassen, Lonnie Klaassen, and Larry Brunning. Honorary bearers will be Alaina Reitmeier, Samantha Reitmeier, Alexis Croatt, Reese Croatt, William Reitmeier, and Matthew Reitmeier.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington, MN and also one hour prior to the service at the church.
