John Timmer

1931 - 2018

John Timmer

Sioux Falls - John Timmer, 87, of Sioux Falls died from an aortic aneurysm on November 5, 2018. He passed away peacefully at Dougherty Hospice House surrounded by family.

Funeral Services for John with be 1:00 Saturday, November 10, 2018 a Community Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, SD. The family will greet relatives and friends for visitation from 5:00 -7:00 on Friday, November 9, 2018 at Community Reformed Church in Sioux Falls.

John was born June 24, 1931, on a farm near Beaver Creek, MN. He graduated from Rock Rapids (IA) High School in 1948. He attended Central College in Pella, IA.

He married Henrietta Van Der Weerd on February 13, 1953, in Steen, MN, after his relentless pursuit of her.

John enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean Crisis, but was medically discharged before getting the opportunity to serve overseas.

Most of his business career was in the insurance industry - working for Prudential, John Hancock, and Mutual Benefit. His career culminated in being an executive and owner of Employee Services, Inc. (ESI), a third party claim administration firm, from 1974 to 1991.

In 1980, John successfully ran for a seat in the South Dakota State House of Representatives. He held that seat until 1992, when he was the Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for South Dakota's lone seat in Congress.

One of his proudest political achievements was leading the initiative of term limits for the state legislature and Congressional representatives. Another highlight was promoting the idea of a state park at the former Indian settlement site known as Blood Run, which is now Good Earth State Park.

John was actively involved with Life Source of Minneapolis during the 1990s, including serving on their board of directors. This is the processing agency for almost all organ donations in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. In a similar vein, he believes in medical research, donating his remains to the USD Sanford Medical School.

In 1957, John and his wife, Hen, were charter members of Community Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, and were still members at the time of his death. In 1961, John was a charter member of the East Sioux Falls Kiwanis Club and was an active member at the time of his death.

John believed in developing the River Greenway and Bike Trail in Sioux Falls. He served as a President of RISE (River Improvement Society) in the days when the Bike Trail was still a dream.

He served in leadership positions in numerous civic and business organizations, such as the Central College Board of Trustees, RISE, Kiwanis International, Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, Elks Club, Augustana Fellows, Life Source, and several insurance industry associations. In 2006, Central College awarded him their President's Medal.

Sports were also a passion for John, including softball in his teens, softball announcing in Steen, MN, racquetball at the downtown YMCA for over 40 years, tennis in his retirement years, and fishing. He especially loved walleye fishing on the Missouri River and the friendship of all who went with him. Throughout his life he loved watching his kids' and grandkids' sporting events.

John is survived by his wife, Hen of Sioux Falls; son Brad of Sioux Falls; son Doug (Heidi Wagner) of Sioux Falls; daughter Jana (John) Bastian of Belle Fourche, SD; daughter Kaye (Pat) Lawler of Sioux Falls; son Vance (Dianne) of Sioux Falls; brothers Gary (Maurine) of Pella, IA; Lee (Sandy Saxena) of Mesa, AZ; Edwin (Barbara Fett) of Janesville, WI; Stan (Jana) of Plantersville, TX; sisters Di (Hal) Klein of Mesa, AZ; Rosi (Charlie) Reisig of Smithville, MO; Linda Rosso (Rich Schembri) of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren Jeremy Strom of Council Bluffs, IA; Jaren Timmer of Rapid City; Cody Larson of Sioux Falls; Wagner (Ruben) Silva of Sioux Falls; Tagyn Larson of Sioux Falls; Kyra Wagner of Sioux Falls; Ellie (Trapper) Haynam of Bozeman, MT; Hannah Bastian of Eugene, OR; Sean Lawler of Yokota AFB, Japan; Maggie Lawler of Seattle, WA; Kara Lawler of Omaha, NE; Brian Lawler of Sioux Falls; Elena Lawler of Sioux Falls; Alexei Lawler of Sioux Falls; Rudy Lawler of Sioux Falls; Katie Timmer of Sioux Falls; Joey Timmer of Sioux Falls and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Dena Timmer, and an infant daughter.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a fund for a future walking path at Trail Ridge Senior Living Community.