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Sig Rimestad of St. Croix Falls, WI went to be with his Savior on September 25, 2014 after a lengthy illness. He was born in Hampden, North Dakota on May 26, 1927. Sig was the youngest son of Martin and Sanna’s eight children. The family moved to Grand Forks, ND where he graduated from high School. At 17 he enlisted in the US Coast Guard stationed at Treasure Island near San Francisco serving on the ship Annapolis. After his discharge he attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and spent two summers with the US Forest Service in Idaho. He transferred to the University North Dakota in Grand Forks where he graduated with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in History, and his Masters in Administration.

He was a Superintendent of Schools for 42 years starting his career in Pisek ND, then on to Munich and Edinburgh ND. The family moved to Clearbrook MN where he directed the expansion for a new elementary school and a high school addition and received national recognition through the Department of Commerce for its work in area redevelopment. They then moved to Winnebago IL.  While in Winnebago he worked on completing his Doctorate in Administration at Northern Illinois University.   After experiencing a tornado the family decided to move back to Minnesota, residing in Eveleth. He secured funding to start a vocational school and this was without iron mining funds which was a first for school districts in the area.  In 1973 they moved to Grygla where he expanded the school district by establishing a high school. The school offered certified programs in auto mechanics, carpentry, welding, machine shop and cosmetology.   This was also the first school in Minnesota designed for cold weather.  Their final move was to Taylors Falls, where he completed the consolidation between Chisago Lakes and Taylors Falls school districts and developed the Small School Model before retiring. Over his career he was invited to guest lecture at various colleges and published articles on rural education.

 He was active in church as well as civic organizations, including the Boy Scouts. In his spare time he enjoyed many hobbies including wood working, hunting, fishing, gardening, reading, and boating. He built a working replica of a Civil War naval cannon, a 36 foot St Pierre Dory fishing boat for Lake Superior, and a Grandfather clock amongst his projects. He took up water color painting in his late 70s and was invited to several juried shows. He loved good conversation either in person or on the telephone with interest in philosophy, religion, culture, politics, music, and sports-especially hunting. A true renaissance man.
In 1951 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marilyn, celebrating 63 years in 2014. They have five children: Marty (Wanda) WI, Kris Lance (Mike) KS; Debbie Motley (John) MN; Kathy Westrum (Dick) IL and Sanna Raedeke (Dan) MN; 13 grandchildren; Noelle Young (Hassan) WA, Lauren Rimestad MN, Karsten Rimestad  NY, Landen and Braeden Rimestad   WI, Kjersten Lance  CA, Curtis Lance TX, Brianna Lance NY, Daenon Scobee (Brian)  IL, Luke Westrum (Beth) IL, Matthew Westrum IL, Dominick Raedeke  ND, Simone Raedeke  CA and six great-grandchildren.  He was preceeded in death by his parents and siblings He is remembered for his love of his wife, family, the Coast Guard and his LORD.

The family prefers memorials to Peace Lutheran Church, 2355 Clark Road, P.O. Box 655, Dresser, WI 54009.

 Memorial services will be Friday, October 3 at 3 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Dresser, Wisconsin.  There will be visitation Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church and for a half hour before the service.  Private Family interment will be at the Kahbakong Cemetery in Taylors Falls, Wisconsin.  You may view a video tribute and sign an online guest book at www.williamsonwhite.com.  Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services assisted the family with arrangements.

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