Syd Reimer took one final flight, on the wings of an eagle, and went home in the early hours of a cold and bright morning in Winnipeg, Manitoba on January 25, 2026 at the impressive age of 92 years old.
Syd was born on April 14, 1933, in Steinbach, Manitoba. Two grandmothers were present at his birth, while his dad, knowing his mother was in good hands, attended the Good Friday service in church, and his siblings played outside. Syd was the fourth of five children born to Elizabeth and Peter J. B. (Kehler) Reimer.
Syd was raised in a loving family known for their laughter, warmth and infamous story-telling. These memories remained an anchor for Syd, and were a source of comfort and pride in where he came from. Things changed dramatically for him and his siblings after his mother’s death when he was 12 years old. Syd struggled to find his way without her anchoring love.
In 1951, encouraged by friends on the way home from a youth event at church, Syd made a life-changing decision to walk in Christianity. This welcomed a new chapter for Syd, filled with supportive friends and greater peace in his late teen years. Recently, while in hospital, he told Helen that he still felt God’s peace in that decision.
He found a deep and true love when he met his wife Helen. Together they created a beautiful family and a legacy that continues through their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They loved each other deeply until the very end.
Syd’s work and volunteer life were a source of great pride for him, and his giving heart was always present in these spaces. His career path included managing the local lumber yard and working as a financial planner. One of his proudest accomplishments was volunteering for Mennonite Disaster Service where he served for 30 years.
Flying was undoubtedly one of the great loves of his life. He was a private pilot for 45 years, logging over 2000 hours of flying. He estimated that that distance would have taken him around the world 12 times. He loved flying locally, giving many people plane rides and made trips across Canada, the USA and Central America.
Even in death, Syd’s generosity to his loved ones shone through. A man who simply wanted to love and take care of his people. He gave us the luxury of time together to say good-bye. As difficult as those weeks in the hospital were for him, he greeted his family and friends with a sweet smile and sparkling eyes, and expressed many times over how deeply thankful he was to see us.
There is no doubt that Syd was met by many loved ones as he flew to the great beyond on that crisp January morning. He was predeceased by his mother Elizabeth and father Peter J. B. (Kehler) Reimer and step-mother Marie Reimer. He outlived all of his siblings, Al, Nita, Louise and Charlotte, as well as his daughter Marj and his grandson Tom.
He is survived by his wife – his Liebe Helen, his children, Daryl Reimer, Jim and Janine Heinrichs (Jen and Eusebio, Kate, Sara and Anthony, Billy and Megan), Dan Reimer (Sam and Jess, Ziggy and Mike), Kim and Cal Kroeker (Mike and Adrielle, Erin and Gareth, Megan and Iain), Peter Reimer (Alex, Nik and Ashlyn, Nally and Joe) and James and Christine Reimer (Kaleb, Maiya), as well as 14 great-grandchildren.
Your good work here is done. May you fly with the eagles until we meet again.
A celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship, 150 Bayridge Avenue Winnipeg.
I remember flying with Uncle Syd in his little four-seater prop plane over the prairies of southern Manitoba, when I was a little girl. Uncle Syd was such a good man, and took care of my grandpa (Al) until the end. I still remember Uncle Syd and Grandpa chatting wittingly to one another just a few months before Grandpa passed away in 2015 – his body failing him, but his mind as sharp as ever. I will miss him dearly.
Sending lots of love to our Auntie Helen and our Reimer family.
Xo
Memories through the eyes of an adoring niece:
Uncle Syd was one of those ” larger than life” family figures, truly leaving a profound mark on all our lives as nieces and nephews. In light of the fact that his favorite sport was flying his own plane,
why don’t we ‘ scoop’ down to get a better look at the overlay of the ‘land’ of Uncle Syd’s life?
As we are flying over the span of his lifetime, a lot of beautiful scenery comes into view. Not only was Uncle Syd charming and good looking, he had cultivated a congenial, loving, kind, honest, frank, and delightfully outspoken character, always willing to lend a hand at a moment’s notice. He was industrious, not afraid of hard work, and he loved his family. Flying over his ancestral home, what do we see? Six happy and healthy children, clean, well-dressed and cared for by his loving and devoted wife, Aunty Helen, the girl of his dreams! What a lucky guy! He was blessed with her for over seventy years!
Take a look at his well-manicured lawns and yards. Uncle Syd tended his properties, with loving care, finding peace in working his land, and enjoying the great meals that came from Aunty Helen’s plentiful gardens.
Even though they had to weather multiple spring floods, they rebounded and reestablished in record time. Their door was always open, to family, a myriad of friends from all over, pastors, politicians and a steady flow of overniters. He taught his children good work ethic, and as a family lover, he was a faithful, loving husband, He wore his ‘heart on his sleeve’, and he did love having company and entertaining. His “baked bean dish ” was enjoyed by all of us! It was always accompanied by Aunty Helen’s delicious home-made bread, and plenty of good humor.
Oh, there he is now! Climbing into his plane, I wonder where he’s headed next. His countless trips in North and South America are a testament to his well calculated flying skills. He travelled widely to other parts of the world, to see family, or for work. He even set foot in Russia and Ukraine to explore his Mennonite family roots with his brother Al and his Dad.
To us, Uncle Syd was a ‘ Legend in his own time.’ He cared deeply about his parents and his siblings. He fit easily into the cockpit of being the Reimer family patriarch after the passing of his father. It showed in how he took care of his sisters with extraordinary fervor. He displayed a special spot for our mom, Louise, assisting her to start a new life and career in Rosenort where he moved us to in 1959.
In fact, he practically raised us kids, as well. Being like a dad to us he was always there across the street at the Lumberyard where he worked. Our mom just had to call him up on the local party line, when we were getting too much for her, and he’d drop everything and come running!
Just look out the window now and see us. There I am, giving my mom a hard time in the coffee shop, and here comes Uncle Syd, running over to make “orning” (order). O, the good ole days! I know this is it for me! Be it the dead of winter, but out I run frantically in my socks, heading like a bullet to the outhouse, and locking the door. Uncle Syd waits for me, with threats, to come out, but look, I’m saved by a customer who can’t wait on this, So, off the hook this time, I resolve to never drive him to that again. Sorry, Uncle Syd!
Good thing, his zest for life propelled his big heart for all of us. Now, if you peer out the other window, you might see all four of us packing into Uncle Syd’s already jam packed notoriously tiny Fiat. How did we all fit? But they made it work, and we thought it was great fun to get a ride to church or a special summer picnic!
Now, if we fly past the church, we will hear him singing in the choir, perhaps giving a sermon, or sharing whatever was on his heart. Uncle Syd was a fervent believer, a devout Christian, and as he grew through the many challenges of his life, so did his faith.
And what kind of support did he offer our own family? They kept us with them when our mom had to travel to the USA for six weeks with Nelson at the age of two for open heart surgery. As we grew up and moved on our ways, they always hosted mom on special occasions so she wouldn’t have to be alone. Uncle Syd showed his love for our husbands and our dads, coming to visit us personally
wherever we were – Greece, Morris, Kitchener, New Brunswick, and Halifax. They did this for Bonnie and Russell, too. He and Aunty Helen were special guests who attended Elena’s wedding, in Halifax. When they had us over in Rosenort, Emmanuel and I would give Uncle Syd foot reflexology while he took a power nap! He loved all the Greek relatives and friends and was good to all of them!
We always enjoyed listening to his exciting adventures and travel stories.
Take a peek, there’s Uncle Syd now, He could be camping with family, landscaping, laughing, crying, playing ball, or showing off his newest car. And scanning the panels, we find evidence of book writing. Be it family history, or recording genealogies, he had the gift of keeping track of everyone. He also co-started the Kehler Clan online website.
If we take a dive to peer into his den window, we’ll see him there at his desk, his walls covered in a large assortment of plaques, trophies, accolades, and awards, presented to him through the years of dedicated service to community and country. He also co-started the first Fire Hall in Rosenort.
His missions with the MDS were myriad, the satisfaction it gave him so fulfilled him. His sphere of influence was visible everywhere. He had the strategic gift of relating to just about anybody at any level. He was like a social chameleon, just as comfortable with the vulnerable, as with Premiers and dignitaries of different walks of life. He was proud of his Mennonite heritage.
Being a wise and practical man, he was a scholar of life, proving his good character by his actions. A man of integrity, he stood out on the land of the prairies, like a shining pillar of light, the good outweighing the bad, a man who embraced his own families joys and tragedies with strength and composure, never complaining that the load was too heavy, or the road too long.
Well, the evening has drawn near, the sunset is beckoning, and there you are, Syd Reimer, flying to your final destination, your eternal home, straight to your awaiting family, and to the everlasting arms of your Lord and Saviour. What joy, what peace!
Rest well, dear Uncle Syd, we love you and we thank you for everything.
We look to the day when we shall all meet again. Thank you we could journey with you along the way.
When Syd walked into my life, he brought kindness, strength, and a quiet inspiration that left a mark on me. From the many coffees at Tim Hortons, lunches at AppleBee’s, to countless emails and phone calls, he became not just a guide, but a mentor and friend. His expressions and expressiveness in telling a story created great memories I will always cherish. He reminded me how important it is to remember the Kehler stories and honor those who came before us. Because of his vision and encouragement, Kehler.ca exists today. I will miss his huge smile, his laughter, his wisdom, and the way he made faith and family feel so alive.
I am so very sorry to hear about Syd’s passing. I didn’t know he was sick. I’m sorry I did t have the chance to say goodbye.
Syd was such a loving man and such a great friend to my Dad Glen. I enjoyed the visits I did have with him and Helen.
I am sure Syd and Dad are together having their coffee and telling stories again together now.
My sincerest condolences
Karen Kehler
So sorry for your loss. My father Peter H Kehler always spoke very highly of Syd Reimer.