Reekers, Terry 1953-2018

REEKERS, WILTS, DITTMER

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

Obituary for Terry Lynn Reekers
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials.

Terry Lynn Reekers, was born on June 12, 1953 in Primghar, Iowa to Arnold and Mary Ann (Wilts) Reekers. Terry passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, at the age of 64 years.
Terry attended grade school in Archer, Iowa. He later moved with his family to Victor, and later to Hull, where he graduated from high school in 1971. He attended Western Iowa Tech and obtained his degree in Police Science in 1973. Terry met the love of his life in Hull, Connie Dittmer, the couple was wed on July 13, 1973. Terry and Connie made their first home in Kingsley, where he was employed as a police officer. He later joined the Hull Police Department, where he was appointed Chief of Police. Terry became an EMT in Hull and was active in prehospital care. In 1977, the family moved to Estherville, where he joined the Estherville Police Department and continued to provide EMS to those in need. In 1980, he joined the Emmet County Sheriff's Office as Chief Deputy, and in 1987 took over as Director of Ambulance Service. In the late 1980's, he began working for Emergency Management for Emmet County, developing the office into a full-time position. He was the Emmet County Emergency Management Coordinator at the time of his death.
Terry will be remembered for his ever present and unfailing sense of humor. It was a gift, and he did recognize that. He was always willing and ready to take on leadership roles, serving at Grandview Baptist Church, most recently as an usher, but he had served on many of the boards and committees and along with teaching Sunday School and Children’s Church. He was a member and past president of the Iowa Emergency Management Association. He had been an EMT for over 30 years and taught First Aid and CPR classes. Terry was a certified Firearms Instructor and had taught firearms classes at ILCC. He was a Hunter Safety Instructor and the local contact for the Red Cross for many years. He was currently working on the Gold Star Family Memorial and Veteran’s Park, to be built in Estherville. He loved the opportunity for public speaking, giving many presentations to school children, civic groups, and senior citizens, on topics from tornadoes and weather to emergency preparedness. He was a member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association and the current president of Spirit Riders Chapter. His true passion was sharing his love of God with others and he chose to do that with his motorcycle.
He is survived by his wife Connie, Children, Carrie (Dean) Church, of New Hartford, Michael Reekers of Waterloo and Tanner Schelle of Minneapolis. His grandchildren Micah Johnson, Melody Johnson, Jersey Church, step-grandchildren Emily Church and Zachary Church, all of New Hartford. His mother Mary Ann Reekers of Sioux Center. Brothers and sisters, Leon Reekers (Carol) of Hull, Pamela (Harold) Dekkers of Hawarden, Steve (Jolene) Reekers of Rock Springs Wyoming, Rhonda (Terry) Van Zanten of Rock Valley, Mark (Lyn) Reekers of Sioux Center, Laura (Darlo) Mulder of Sioux Center. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Arnold Reekers and his parents-in-law, Gordon and JoAnne Dittmer and his grandparents.

Source: Henry-Olson Funeral Home and Crematory online obituary.