Geraldine Evelyn Remmes

Geraldine Evelyn Remmes was born in Yankton Hospital September 4, 1938, to Leonard & Mary (Wieseler) Heine, the first of 11 children. Geri married Willam Henry Remmes, also one of 11, of Charter Oak, Iowa on August 1, 1961. They were married for 50 years. Geri began studies in a one room schoolhouse at Immaculate Conception School in St. Helena, NE and graduated from Mount Marty H. S. in 1956. In 1959 she graduated from Alverno College in Milwaukee with a degree in Home Economics. Her career began as a teacher in Charter Oak, IA.

Besides keeping busy with her children, she used her exemplary talents in stitching, painting, pottery, knitting, sewing and quilting to create lasting gifts. She created over 1,700 memory bears out of fur coats, work shirts, and uniforms for people all over the US. She considered the bears a meaningful way to touch others. She enjoyed refinishing furniture, baking and gardening and kept her children well supplied with canned goods. Always busy with her hands, finishing projects was thrilling and gave her a sense of satisfaction. Pinochle & bridge were her favorite ways to socialize with friends and family.

As a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, she was on the building and planning committee for the new church. She was active in PEO, Catholic Daughters, church finance committee, and choir where she felt a special closeness to her fellow choir members.

She worked at the Carriage House, Richards House of Gems and for four dentists. She spent decades as a substitute teacher at Vermillion HS, touching nearly every family in town. For the last 25 years she was a supervisor for the SD Department of Tourism at the Homestead Welcome Center on I-29. She proudly represented the state and helped tourists make the most of their visit. The work was an avocation rather than a job. She was grateful for the joy, compassion and the levity of her colleagues and friends. Hospitality was a virtue, a gift that she joyfully expressed in all of her endeavors.

Geri is survived by six children, Dominic (Jennifer) of Galesburg, IL, Paul of Vermillion & Chicago, Jeanne (Paul) Ives of Wheaton, IL, Sarah (Tom) Taggart of Vermillion, Matthew (Christine) of Lisle, IL and Ryan (Tisha) of Omaha, NE, 19 living grandchildren, one deceased grandchild and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Francis “Bud” (Doris) Heine and Myron (Carolyn) Heine, and sisters Joyce McMahon, Mary Lou Heine, Lois (Lee) Lammers, Lynn (Denny) Hochstein and Michelle (Don) Becker and adopted brothers Gary (Doreen) Wieseler and Donny (Darlene) Wieseler. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sister Phyllis Singer, brothers Paul Heine and Daniel Heine, and grandchild Mark Ives. 

Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2023 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Vermillion, beginning at 10:30AM. Visitation will open to the public at 9:00AM.