[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2125]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 PAYING TRIBUTE TO MARCI BERKA REIMERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 16, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my good 
friend, Marci Berka Reimers.
  Marci was born on May 21, 1957 at Crawford County Hospital in 
Denison, IA. She was the second of four children born to Marvin and 
Donna Berka. Marci had two sisters and a brother named Randy, who I am 
proud to call my best friend.
  After graduating from Humboldt Community High School in 1975, Marci 
married Brian Reimers on November 29 of that same year. As a young 
couple they lived in Maryville, MO while Brian attended Northwest 
Missouri State University. Marci worked in retail while Brian was in 
college. In 1977, Brian accepted a teaching position at Riceville, IA 
and they lived in that community for two years. In 1979 they moved to 
Ogden, IA where Marci was instrumental in helping her husband build a 
first-time wrestling program for that community. Brian has been a 
teacher, coach, and athletic director at Ogden High School for 26 
years, and he will be inducted in the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall 
of Fame this month. Marci and Brian were blessed with two sons, Luke 
and Seth.
  Luke was born November 7, 1978. He graduated from Simpson College in 
Indianola, IA. He and his wife Kara, who live in Waukee, IA, gave Marci 
and Brian the gift of a granddaughter on February 10, 2005. Ella Grace 
has been the joy of her grandmother's eyes.
  Seth was born April 18, 1982. He graduated from Northwest Missouri 
State University in 2004. While attending NWMSU he was in Army ROTC and 
received the George C. Marshall ROTC award in 2004. Following 
graduation, Seth became a U.S. Army Ranger and is currently a 2nd 
Lieutenant stationed at Fort Drum, NY where he is awaiting deployment 
to Iraq sometime this year.
  Marci was Vice President of City State Bank in Ogden, IA where she 
was employed for 26 years. She was also a real estate loan officer. In 
addition, Marci served as treasurer for the Ogden Scholarship & Loan 
Foundation, which is a private loan foundation providing over one-half 
million dollars in scholarships to Ogden community members.
  Mr. Speaker, Marci was a role model and mentor for many children and 
adults in Ogden. She served as an advisor, friend, and pillar of 
support to people of all ages. She was loved for her kind spirit, her 
strong sense of patriotism, and her ability to clearly live her life 
based on the principles of respect and dignity for others. Marci worked 
side-by-side with Brian to build one of the most successful wrestling 
programs in the state of Iowa. She worked hand-in-hand with Ogden 
parents and athletes to promote the true spirit of athletics and helped 
shape many young athletes into responsible American citizens.
  Education held a high priority in her life and she encouraged many 
young men and women to further their education and make a difference in 
the world. A scholarship has been established in her honor for one 
young woman each year through the Board of Directors at City State 
Bank. Marci was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden, IA, 
where she taught Sunday school and served on numerous church committees 
throughout her life. Her faith in God was remarkable and she 
demonstrated a life example for all those she touched.
  Mr. Speaker, as one of two boys, I always considered Marci the little 
sister I never had, and regarded her as a member of my own family.

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