Lyle “Lee” Remer, 83, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, Iowa and Wayne, died Friday, May 12, 2023.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 26 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.
Arrangements are with Meyer Brothers Funeral Homes in Sioux City, Iowa.
Lyle “Lee” Remer was born July 18, 1939 in Sioux City, Iowa. After spending his early years in an orphanage and in foster care, he was lovingly adopted at age six by Lyle and Bernice (Stoewer) Remer. He graduated from Central High School in 1957, received his bachelor’s degree from Westmar College, and later obtained his master’s degree in counseling from Wayne State College.
Lee married Sondra Maurer on Oct. 26, 1962 in Sioux City, Iowa. They met while both were working at Toller Drug Company, which was owned by Lee’s father. Lee came home on the day he met Sondra and announced to his parents he had found the girl he was going to marry. After their wedding, they spent a short time in Sioux City and in several small towns around northeast Nebraska while Lee worked in pharmaceutical sales and then as a mental health educator. Lee found his calling as a high school guidance counselor after obtaining his master’s degree and worked at nearby schools for 35 years after he and Sondra settled in Wayne.
Lee excelled at coaching high school basketball and golf for many years. He was beloved by both students and colleagues, many of whom dropped by to visit long after his retirement.
Lee and Sondra moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa in 2011 to enjoy the lake in retirement. He enjoyed daily coffee with his buddies, golfing, and playing cards. Lee was a gifted writer and musician and even wrote a book about his family history as well as several pieces of poetry, some of which he turned into songs. He owned and operated a small car business out of his garage and loved finding great deals for his customers and tinkering with his vehicles. He always doted on his four-legged kids throughout the years, and they dearly loved him too. Lee never truly gave up his role as golf coach, offering family and friends wanted (and unwanted) advice during every round.
Although raised as an only child, Lee was able to locate and connect with his siblings by birth in 2007. He cherished those relationships, as well as those with existing family and friends. Family was of utmost importance to Lee. Strangers were only friends who had not yet been introduced.
Survivors include his wife, Sondra Remer of Spirit Lake; children, Lisa (Dan) Remer-Gillette of Sioux City, Iowa, David (Teddi) Remer of Omaha, and Krista (Kyle Hendrickson) Remer of Omaha; grandchildren, Addison, Cassie, Allie, Melissa, Ben (Lindsey), Rachel (Jason), Hannah, Gabrielle, Jordan, Adam, Emma, and Caleb; great-grandchildren, Tayden, Draylee, and Lyra; sisters-in-law, LaDonna Maurer and Deb Martin, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, birth brother/friend, Jim Poole, twin brother, seven other birth siblings, and first cousin, Vicki Wollman.
