10/21/1945 – 12/7/2024
Lawrence, Kansas
Keith Edwin Reimer left this world peacefully on Saturday, December 7th, 2024.
He was born on October 21, 1945, in Bison, KS, the son of Frank Reimer and Myrtle Reimer. He graduated from Pawnee Rock High School in 1963 and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Special Education in 1968 and his Master’s degree in 1993 in school administration from Fort Hays State University.
Keith and Deana were married June 11, 1966, in Pawnee Rock, KS, they settled in Dodge City, KS, in 1968 and later moved to Lawrence, KS, in 2002.
Keith started his work in special education in the Dodge City school district teaching Special Education in 1968. In 1971 he became the Director for Instructional materials for the Southwest Kansas Area Special Education Project. In 1978 Keith started working for Southwest Kansas Area Cooperative District as the Director of Federal Programs/Instructional materials. He dedicated his life to ensuring all students received a quality education no matter what impairment they had. He continued his career with SKWACD associate director in 1993 and finished as director, retiring in the early 2000’s. Although he never really retired. He found joy in working for families and students and was still working for the Kansas Migrant Education Project when he passed.
Keith also loved to farm. He continued to farm the family ground in Rush County, KS, until 2004. He loved the simple life and the satisfaction from seeing work being done.
Keith was deeply devoted to his family and friends. He loved playing with technology, building things, hunting, fishing and farming.
One of his other loves was the Depot Theater in Dodge City. From building sets to being the President of the Board he was part of a team that made the theater what it is today.
Always the stoic person in the room, he was never afraid to tell a joke or make a dry humored comment. If he wasn’t playing with some new gadget, you could find him working on the boat or tinkering with anything he could find.
Keith is survived by his son Tyson (Val) Lawrence; daughter Keena Schmidt (Chet) Lawrence; five grandchildren, Crosby, Rileigh, Ava, Caeson, and Greysen; and many nieces and nephews
Keith was preceded in death by his wife Deana, brother Kenneth, sisters Shirley Doll and Norma Garner, and his parents, Frank and Myrtle Reimer.
A celebration of Keith’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence.
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