June 19, 1929 – May 10, 2020 (age 90)
Albert Riemer, age 90, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020 at Carris Health Rice Hospital.
A family graveside service will be held at Ft. Snelling at a later date. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home, www.hafh.org.
Albert Thomas Riemer was born June 19, 1929, in rural Long Prairie, the son of Lawrence and Regina (Biermaier) Riemer. The family moved to Morris in the early 1940’s where he attended St. Mary’s Parochial and Morris public schools. On October 15, 1948, Al married the love of his life Lorraine Stoneberg. (In later years when asked how long he had been married he would reply, with a twinkle in his eye, “as long as I can remember”). At that time Al was employed by North American Creamery. He was a member of Company “M”, 135th Infantry Regiment 47th Division. His unit was ordered to active duty in 1950 during the Korean Conflict and he was stationed at Camp Rucker, Alabama. While there, he earned his GED. He was honorably discharged in May 1952. Returning to Morris, Al worked at the Stevens County Highway Department. He was active in the Morris American Legion, Fire Department and the 9F Sportsman’s Club. In 1960, they moved to Willmar where he worked for MNDOT for 24 years, retiring as shop foreman in 1984. After retiring, he drove school bus for Willmar Bus Service for 24 years. The students on his route fondly referred to him as “Mr. Al”. He proudly displayed “Mr. Al” on his personalized license plates. Al was active in the Willmar American Legion and Rescue Squad. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, camping, hunting and fishing. In 1981, Al and Lorraine purchased 5 acres of wooded land bordering Whitefish Lake in Beltrami County, at the time it was only accessible by boat. Over the course of the next 35 years, with a lot of hard work and help from family, it was turned into a little bit of heaven with all the amenities. It was enjoyed by 4 generations of family and friends.
Al is survived by his wife: Lorraine; children: Janice (Mike) Johnson of Willmar, Bev (Brian) Franzen of Spicer, Doug (Keri) Riemer of Two Harbors and Richard Riemer of Willmar; six grandchildren: Christopher, Carrie, Julie, Emily, Ava and Audrey; seven great-grandchildren: Brianna, Austin, Ian, Caitlin, Dalton, Landon, and Brielle; one great-great-granddaughter: Hadley Lorraine; and sister: Deanna Mayer of Arvada, Colorado.
Al was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Vern (June), Floyd, Tom (Marge), and Larry (Anete); sisters: Florence (Virgil) Bieser, Jeannette (in infancy), and Bernice; brother-in-law: Arden Mayer; granddaughter: Katie Johnson; and grandson: Jared Franzen.
He was a loving lifelong companion, a stern but wonderful father, and a caring, proud and patient grandfather. He owned every tool and small appliance ever made and had the ability to fix anything. He will be dearly missed.