Lucus “Luke” Reimers, 38
Lucus “Luke” Alan Reimers, loving, husband, father, son, brother and Marine, died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, due to an auto accident on I-29 Mile Marker 66 near Worthing, S.D., at the age of 39. His family will be present to greet friends for a memorial visitation from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. A celebration of his life will take place on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 from 12-3 p.m. at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls.
Luke was born July 15, 1984 in Grant, Neb., to Rhonda Reimers. He was raised as a young man who learned to respect his elders, talk shop with EVERYONE, collect hats, and loved being outside in the shop with his grandpa. He spent as much time as possible with his younger brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He never met anyone who wasn’t a friend, and if he did, they were soon friends. He received his education in Nebraska, graduating from Central City High School in 2003. Following high school, Luke enlisted into the United States Marine Corps, and would spend the next 12 years serving honorably through deployments in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.
Luke was united in marriage with Crystal Jones on April 23, 2005 in San Diego, Calif., after his first deployment in Iraq with 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. While Luke was stationed at Camp Pendleton the couple were blessed with a daughter, Sydney Reimers. They then moved to North Carolina where Luke was stationed at Camp Johnson for the next three years. The couple then moved back to Camp Pendleton and Luke joined 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division Motor T. He deployed to Afghanistan with 2/1 in October of 2010 and returned in May of 2011. The family stayed at Camp Pendleton as Luke moved into the range SNCO with Headquarters Marine Corps Camp Pendleton-Camp Horno. He enjoyed his time on the range instructing Marines and Sailors. In 2013 Luke and Crystal welcomed son, Marcus Reimers completing the family. In 2014, the family made the decision to leave the Marine Corps. and figure civilian life out. They called home – the first place they chose to live for more than three years – Brandon, S.D., where Luke first worked as a mechanic for Marmen Energy, then Gil Haugan Construction. He left Gil Haugan and started with Crane Sales and Services. Luke became a certified master Linkbelt crane mechanic while working for Crane Sales and Services. He enjoyed working on cranes, fixing things and the people he worked with. He returned to the Gil Haugan Construction family where he was currently working. He had the best “work wife”, Dan Dan, who always kept him on his toes. It was never boring.
While living in Brandon, Luke made the choice to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4726 for a “sense of doing something for something bigger.” Luke served as Commander of Post 4726 for two years, helping the post become an All-American Post both years he was Commander. If Luke was not at work or home with his family, he could be found at the VFW supporting other Veterans, talking, and chatting it up with friends, getting “Ron’d”, or helping others. He was a huge supporter of the Veteran community and loved being a Marine. He was instrumental in starting the Annual Chili Cookoff that always coincided with the Marine Corps’ birthday. He looked forward to celebrating with his fellow Marines and made a mean pot of chili. He was the current Senior Vice Commander and Bingo caller extraordinaire. Luke participated in the annual Loyalty Day Parade ensuring the flag flew high over the parade route.
Luke was a member of the VFW Trap league, attended many district and state conferences for the VFW and was a voice of reason (who liked to stir the pot) and good humor … GO BRANDON!!!
Luke also enjoyed spending time with his family traveling and exploring new places. He loved to road trip and go on adventures. Luke was a man who worked hard so he could play hard. He was never one to turn down a chance to travel or learn something new. Family camping trips soon turned into the annual Platte Creek Labor Day camping crew with friends and friends who became family. He helped create many lasting memories for all. Luke spent the last weekend in July the last few years camping with his Marine buddies and being just one of the guys. He looked forward to this adventure every year, and we couldn’t wait to hear all about it (well some of the stories that were family appropriate). He loved documentaries and enjoyed watching anything about mechanics or places unknown. Most nights he would fall asleep watching one of his shows, and then argue with Crystal and Sydney about if he had seen it already or not. They loved to tell him he just slept through it and would then proceed to watch it again with him.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Crystal Reimers, Brandon; two children, Sydney and Marcus; his mother, Rhonda (Robert) Evans, Sioux Falls; two brothers, Galen (Ashley) Schaffer, Lincoln, Neb., and Kyle Schaffer, Brandon; honorary brother, Zachariah (Abby) Reimer, Jacksonville, N.C.; father-in-law, Terry E. Jones, Moreno Valley, Calif.; mother-in-law, Sulyn Jones, Brandon; brother-in-law, Terry (Mindy) Jones, Moreno Valley, Calif.; two nieces, Alysen Jones and Charlotte Schaffer; Poppa/Aunt Ann Kirkpatrick; special friends, Ron and Gail Harris, Mike and Leah Rollag, and Brandon Gish and Tyler Hawkins; Luke’s extended VFW and USMC families; Luke’s canine companion, Hulk; and many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his sister, Amanda Reimers; his cousin Renee Reimers; and his long time “Momma Dog” Ziti.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes for donations to be made to support the Veterans Relief Fund at the Three Rivers VFW Post 4726, Brandon or to the Sioux Falls VA recreation fund.
For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.
