John S. Remme, age 82, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 1:18 p.m., at his home in Worthington, Minnesota, surrounded by his family.
John was born on September 12, 1938, in Luverne, Minnesota, the son of Stan and Edith (Nesguthe) Remme. He grew up and graduated from Luverne High School, from Worthington Community College, and was a 1961 graduate of Augustana College in Sioux Falls.
He was united in marriage to Lavonne Padilla in Luverne and to this union three children were born. They were later divorced.
John married Patricia Linder on July 3, 1992, in Luverne.
Upon graduation from Augustana College, John accepted a position with Industrial Credit in Austin, Minnesota. Two years later in May of 1963 he moved to Worthington where he accepted a position as the real estate loan officer at Worthington Federal Savings Bank. In 1977, he was elected president and chief executive officer, and was also elected to the Board of Directors in the fall of the same year. He served as president and CEO for 23 years until his retirement on December 31, 2000. He remained on the Board of Directors as its chairman until December 31, 2019.
John has been a faithful member of the American Lutheran Church since 1963. He served as the president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1981, served two terms as a director of the Savings League of Minnesota, was a 1985-86 recipient of Worthington Community College Community Service Award, was a member of the noon Kiwanis Club from 1969-2000, served 26 years from 1972-1998 as the secretary/treasurer of the Blue Jay Booster Club at the Community College, a Chamber of Commerce ambassador for 10 years, a charter member of the Elks Lodge and served as its treasurer for 10 1/2 years.
John is survived by his wife, Patricia; three children, Michael (Debra) of Indian Land, South Carolina, Kami (Steve) of Stewartville, Minnesota, and Jeffrey (Constance) of Chatfield, Minnesota; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Linda (Reed) of Keowee Key, South Carolina; brother, Mark (Nan) of Seneca, South Carolina; step son, Jeffrey (Jen) Linder of Worthington; stepdaughter Julie (Craig) Runksmeier of Ledyard, Iowa; ten stepgrandchildren, and two stepgreat- grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the American Lutheran Church in Worthington and also one hour prior to the service. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., at the American Lutheran Church in Worthington, with Pastor Anne Hokenstad officiating. Casket bearers will be John’s grandsons, Dustin Remme, Nathan. Remme, Derek Remme, Tyler Rogers, Alex Remme, and stepson Jeff Linder. Honorary bearers will be Arlo Mogck, Bruce Duba, Bruce Lease, Russel Rickers, Larry Rogers, Jeff Meier, Lynn Brunk, Richard Hedrick, Paul Woll, Craig Runksmeier, and Tim Young. Private family burial will be held in the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Benson Funeral Home in Worthington is in charge of the arrangements.
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