November 14, 1960- December 22, 2013
Todd
James Reuer was born on November 14, 1960 in Mobridge, SD to Rita (Lawless)
Reuer and Calvin Elmer Reuer. His love for the Dakota prairies and
ranching began early on, growing up on a ranch nestled in the banks of Lake
Oahe, south west of Selby SD. Todd attended grade school in Akaska, SD and then
later graduated from Selby High School in 1979. In 1975 Todd went to a youth
camp at a place called Outlaw Ranch outside of Custer,SD. There at that
camp Todd said that he "gave his life to Jesus Christ and asked Jesus to
live through him". From that day on Jesus was not only a savior to Todd
but His truest friend. His prayer for Christ to live through him is a prayer
that was answered, as the love and joy of Christ was felt by all who were near
to Todd throughout his life. Feeling a call to ministry, Todd attended a bible
school called Shiloh Training Institute in Hamilton, MT after high school where
he graduated in 1981. His love for the cowboy life did not stay
behind in South Dakota, though. He took his calf roping horse to school
with him so he could still rope at the local indoor arena any spare minute he
had. During his time at Shiloh, he met Kelley (Shaw) from Mandan, ND. They
were married on January 2, 1982 at the Presbyterian Church in Mandan. The
newlyweds returned to MT as Kelley finished her school at Shiloh and Todd found
a job on a ranch in Stevensville, MT. Their early years of marriage were spent
helping with several church plants, singing at many events together, and
working on farms and ranches in various towns in North and South Dakota. In
1983 they moved to Bowdle, SD. There, Todd worked on a ranch and Kelley and
Todd both helped with a local ministry, traveling, singing, and preaching
weekly. In 1984 Todd and Kelley moved to Hoven, SD and then in 1985 they moved
to Bismarck and helped work at Circle C Ranch for a summer camp season. From
1985 to 89 they lived in the Hazen and Steele, ND area, helping a new church
get started in each community. In January of 1988 they had their first child,
Tyson. In Sept of 1989 they moved to Kenmare, ND to start and pastor a
church.
Todd
loved people from all cultures and had a heart for missions. In 1989, Todd and
Kelley and baby Tyson went on a mission trip to South East Asia, to teach at a
couple different Bible Schools: one in Borneo and the other in Manila,
Philippines. During their time in Kenmare they also took another mission trip
into Mexico. They pastored the church in Kenmare for 3 years and then
moved back to Todd's roots in South Dakota. For the next 15 years they lived in
the Mobridge, SD area. In 1991 they had their second child Philip and in '97, a
daughter Kristi.
Todd
loved ranching on the rolling plains of South Dakota. He was interested in
cattle management, rotational grazing practices and cattle genetics. He was an
AI technician and also studied Bud Williams
cattle management methods. Todd loved teaching others. He would
often stop while working with his kids on the ranch to tell them about a
certain type of grass, or share a life lesson found in nature. He had a love
for teaching God's word and often taught at the bible school at his church in Timberlake,
SD, his favorite topic to teach on was God's love. More importantly, Todd was
known as a man who lived what he preached and his genuine love for others was
felt by everyone around him. It was often said about him, that "he never
knew a stranger".
In the
summer of 2002, Todd had a horse accident and suffered a Traumatic Brain
Injury. Over the next several years he struggled with recovery from the
incident. In 2008 Todd and his family moved to take a different ranch job in
Limon, CO and then later moved again to Kintyre, ND. Todd's Traumatic Brain
Injury recovery was further complicated by a diagnosis of early Dementia
and he increasingly struggled with his ability to focus and remember
events. By 2011 the disease made it impossible for him to continue doing the
work that he loved so much and with a heavy heart he had to quit
ranching.
Todd and
Kelley moved back to the Bismarck/Mandan area, where Kelley took care of Todd
while his condition continued to worsen. In the summer of 2013 Todd was placed
into the hospital at Bismarck and then later moved to a long term care facility
in Tioga, ND.
Always
committed to go wherever He felt God called him to go, Todd had lived in over
20 houses and 11 communities over the course of his life. He spent his final
4 months at the Tioga Medical Center. On Sunday, God called Todd to move one
more time and he passed away on Dec 22, 2013.
Todd
left a legacy of compassion and character. His ambition was to lead a quiet
life working with his hands. Todd's final years were a struggle for him as
he fought the devastating effects of dementia, but his life was a
glorious victory. He touched everyone around him with his smile and genuine
compassion towards others. Because of their many moves, Todd and Kelley would
say that they really weren't sure where home was anymore. But that is no
longer a question for Todd, as he was able to saddle up one last time and ride
off into the sunset; one of God's favorite cowboys, finally.... home.
He is
preceeded in death by his father, Calvin Elmer Reuer. He is survied by
his wife Kelley, sons Tyson (Sarah) Reuer (Tulsa, OK) , Philip Reuer (Valley
City, ND) , daughter Kristi Reuer (Bismarck) , Granddaughters, Kadence and
Selah Reuer (Tulsa, Ok) . Mother Rita Reuer (Tea, SD) Siblings: Georgia McCool
(Albuquerque, NM) , Dean Reuer (Spearfish, SD) Tamara Reuer (Rapid City, SD),
Inlaws: Donald and Estella (Honey) Shaw (Mandan, ND), Sister In Laws: Dawn
and Doug Diehl (Rapid City, SD) Debbie Shaw (Bismarck), Kim Shaw (Bismarck),
Brother in Law: LaRue and Tracie Shaw (Bismarck, ND), and many Aunts and
Uncles and Cousins.
