Dr. Alwin Reimnitz, president emeritus of the Synod’s North Dakota District, died Aug. 9 after being hit by a car weeks earlier.
Reimnitz, 80, was struck July 18 as he crossed the street during a visit to a nursing home. 
He had been serving for the past several years as visitation pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, Bismarck, N.D.
In the accident, Reimnitz suffered broken ribs and other injuries and “seemed to be recuperating” before he developed an infection that ended his life, according to Zion Associate Pastor Brad Stoltenow. “Pastor Reimnitz was doing the ministry he loved. You could say his life ended ‘in the line of duty,'” Stoltenow told Reporter.
A memorial service was held Aug. 12 at Zion, Bismarck. Reimnitz served as the congregation’s pastor from 1959 to 1985, and again, most recently, as visitation pastor.
Reimnitz served as North Dakota District president from 1968 to 1991.
“Pastor Reimnitz was very loyal to the ministry of the Gospel and was very concerned about the integrity of that ministry in the LCMS, and that was reflected in how he carried out his office as district president and as parish pastor at Zion Lutheran Church,” said Stoltenow.
“Ritz,” as Reimnitz was often called, was “widely loved by his parishioners,” according to Stoltenow. He was a “fantastic preacher” and was “unapologetic for speaking the truth of the Gospel,” he added.
Reimnitz is survived by his wife, Helen; 10 children — Phil and Deb Reimnitz, Andy Reimnitz, Michael and Joyce Reimnitz, Beth and Dave Barton, Mark Reimnitz, Rev. Dave and Sherry Reimnitz, Ruth and Jerry Walsh, Faith and Dr. Michael Rowlette, Steve Reimnitz, Ardath and Cmdr. Mitchell Appel; 19 grandchildren; and three sisters — Lois (Rev. Al) Scholz, Eunice (Rev. Erv) Metz, and Miriam Reimnitz.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Reimnitz Scholarship Fund at the LCMS North Dakota District Office, P.O. Box 9029, Fargo, ND 58106-9029.
Posted Aug. 11, 2005
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