John (Johnnie) Jacob Rempe, age 92, of Oskaloosa, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the MHP Serenity Hospice House in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was born on August 20, 1932, in Beacon, Iowa, to Henry J “Pop” and Marie W. Schut Rempe. He attended a one room schoolhouse in Mahaska County until eighth grade when he went to help run the family farm. In 1952, John married Dorothy Rozenboom, and 4 children were born. On June 18, 1978, he was united in marriage to Donna Taylor Harvey in Stiles, Iowa and became a stepdad to her 3 children.
John drove the bus for the Eddyville Community School District for 33 years before retiring. He also owned and, along with his family, operated the Eddyville Dragway for 25 years.
John was a lifelong farmer. He lived north of Eddyville on a farm he fondly referred to as “Shady Acres.” He farmed in Monroe, Mahaska and Wapello Counties where he raised goats, chickens, llamas and purebred longhorn cattle to name a few. John had a passion for gardening and made it his goal to supply the kids with fresh vegetables and to have enough for his annual “cream can”. John enjoyed entering tractor pulls in the stock division. He was especially proud of the many trophies he earned, with his final pull being in October of 2023 at 91 years old. He enjoyed deer hunting and spending time outdoors. John was a people person and loved talking to any passerby. Never knowing a stranger, he always asked “So where are you folks from?” He then usually ended up visiting as long time allowed. He was a lifelong member of the Central Church in Oskaloosa. John found true joy in Sunday school and learning about God and the Bible and loved to recite the many verses he knew by heart.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Rempe of Oskaloosa; his children, Jerry (Kathleen) Rempe of Eddyville, Carol (Jerry) Hammer of Newton, Kenneth (Martha) Rempe of Ottumwa and David (Jen) Rempe of Beacon; his stepchildren, Diana (Jim) Arment of Eddyville, Rob (Hanna) Harvey of Leighton and Angela (Jason) Werts of Bloomfield; grandchildren, Tiffany (Jimmy) Beal, Andrew Swope, Jessica (Jeff) Kueter, Erica (Tom) Kitt, Adam (Amanda) Hammer, Jennifer (Terry) Whitlatch, Amy (Chris) Abbott, Dayna (Steven) Farrell, Jake Arment, Dalton Harvey and Isabel Harvey. 15 great grandchildren and a sister, Harriet Stout, of New Sharon.
John was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters, Emma Kool, Grace Plate and Sarah Vandekieft.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the Central Church in Oskaloosa with Pastors Jon Nelson and Mike Sereg officiating. Burial will follow services in the Evergreen Cemetery in Leighton, Iowa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Bates Funeral Chapel with John’s family present from 5-7 p.m. Friday evening to greet relatives and guests. Memorials may be made to MHP Serenity Hospice House in Oskaloosa.
