Home > United States of America > Iowa > Lee County > Fort Madison > Sacred Heart Cemetery > Harry Robert Rempe

Harry Robert Rempe

Birth	:	16 Sep 1923 Fort Madison, Lee County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	14 Nov 1999 Fort Madison, Lee County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Sacred Heart Cemetery, Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.6225014, -91.3716965
Description	:	Harry Rempe was a noted local musician and music arranger. He operated the Rempe Music Store in Ft. Madison, IA for many years along with his wife Faye. From an unknown newspaper article entitled "Know More about Your Local Businesses" provided to the writer by Roger Rempe, great great grandson of Joseph Hermann, Rempe: Before the turn of the century, a Ft. Madison city band was organized. One of the trumpet players was Josef Rempe, grandfather of Harry Rempe, present owner of Rempe Music House. Harry started his career in music while still in grade school. He first... Read More	Harry Rempe was a noted local musician and music arranger. He operated the Rempe Music Store in Ft. Madison, IA for many years along with his wife Faye. From an unknown newspaper article entitled "Know More about Your Local Businesses" provided to the writer by Roger Rempe, great great grandson of Joseph Hermann, Rempe: Before the turn of the century, a Ft. Madison city band was organized. One of the trumpet players was Josef Rempe, grandfather of Harry Rempe, present owner of Rempe Music House. Harry started his career in music while still in grade school. He first played on the stage with Neil Schaffner for the "Toby and Susie" shows. Then he organized a small band known as the "Rhythm Rangers". Probably the peak of his musicianship came when he played string bass in the "Andre Kostelanetz Orchestra" as they toured with Lily Pons. He was also a band director during his military service. In April of 1949 he opened a music shop at 712 Seventh Street, expanded when he moved to 715 Avenue G later and now Rempe's Music House is in a new location at 719 Avenue G., one of the top music stores in this part of the state. Three qualified teachers work with Harry and his wife Faye giving instrumental lessons. They are dealers in musical instruments, television sets, stereos and records. From the newspaper "Daily Democrat", of Fort Madison, IA., Summer of 1999 provided by Mary Lou Chatfield on July 20, 1999: After more than five decades in the music business, Harry Rempe Music House will be closing its doors for the last time in four weeks. "We've been here for 50 years, so I think we'll retire," co-owner Faye Rempe said after a local company purchased the building and wanted to use if for what she thinks will be a retail business. Since the Harry Rempe Music House opened its doors in 1949, owners Harry and Faye Rempe have greeted customers and helped them find the musical selections or equipment they were looking for. When the Rempe's opened their first store, it was located at 711 Seventh St., which used to be referred to as "the skinny store." three years later with the record sales and lessons business increasing and the need for more space, Rempe's moved its location to 715 Ave. G, in 1952. In 1962 with the beginning of the "young people's era" Rempe's once again moved two doors down to its present location at 719 Ave. G. as the music became heavier, at least compared to Elvis and the Beatles in the 70's and 80's , LPs and 45's were replaced by 8-track cassettes, and later cassettes and compact discs. As a way to liquidate some of their stock, Rempe said their entire inventory will be discounted 25 percent. On 14 November 1999 Harry Rempe died. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery Fort Madison, IA Tombstone Inscription, provided by Roger and Lynn Rempe Harry Robert Rempe, Jr Tech 4 US Army WWII September 16, 1923,- November 14 1999 Obituary : 11-17-99 Harry Rempe, Jr. : Harry Robert Rempe, Jr., 76 of 902 E8th St., Fort Madison, died at 1 a.m., Sunday Nov. 14, 1999, at his home. Born Sept. 16, 1923, in Fort Madison, he was the son of Harry E. Sr and Marie Budke Rempe. He married Faye B Ahlgren on April 26, 1947 in Fort Madison. Mr. Rempe was a U. S Army veteran of World War II, serving in the China-Burma-India theatre. He was the former owner of Harry Rempe Music House, with 51 years of service. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, the Musicians Union, Eagles and Elks. He was a former director of the Army Band, Fort Madison City Band and also the Aquinas Band, which he started. He was a leader of the former Harry Rempe Combo for 30 years and inspired many young musicians. Survivors include his wife; one son, Robert J. Rempe of Fort Madison, Two daughters, Jann Corsvie of Republic of Congo, Africa, and Lynn A. Rempe of Peoria, Arizona; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. today at King-Lynk Funeral Home in Fort Madison. Following a wake service at 7 p.m., the family will receive friends until 8 p.m. The funeral for Mr. Rempe will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Church, with the Rev Tim Sheedy officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. EDITORIAL Harry Rempe was the real 'music man" "His life was a song...a series of songs, really, which ended in a grand finale Sunday. That was the day Harry Rempe passed away. With his passing the music remains as do the memories attached to each and every note. While he preferred to play jazz and tunes from the Bif Band era, Harry Rempe brought music of all kinds into the lives of Fort Madison residents for five decades through his own talents and through the Harry Rempe Music House. In the beginning, his customers came in looking for the latest Duke Ellington LP's, toward the end they came in looking for the latest rap CD. Whether it was 1949 or 1999, those entering the store's door found the real 'music man' there. Not the fast talking con artist portrayed in the longtime Broadway gem, but the real thing. A man who made his living, and supported a family, playing with local bands and selling the latest talents of other musicians to eager fans. But what so many Fort Madison residents will cherish is that part of himself, the stories and the memories that Harry Rempe shared with anyone wishing to briefly escape his or her present circumstances. And Harry had plenty of memories to share, repeating a few favorites at the prompting of others, Harry played professionally with the Army Band touring out of India from 1942 on during World War II. He then returned to Fort Madison with his wife, Faye, and opened his music store, originally at 711 Seventh St. The couple ran the business during the day and set up residence upstairs above the store. Harry played six nights a week with The Harry Rempe Combo at the Uptown Club, now the location of Bill Hill's college of Cosmetology, to help make ends meet while the business was getting started. "Harry is the musician. I'm the business end," Faye would later say. Harry would tell of his days touring with the Army band, the day in 1949 when he and Faye stocked their first 45 records, which they believed were just a fad that wouldn't be around for long. He would tell about the area's vaudeville shows and that time in 1949 when he talked movie star Rex Allen, who was making a publicity stop at The Iowa Theater, to come to the store and sign autographs. Many of today and yesterday's local performers can trace their beginning back to Harry Rempe. He gave and arranged lessons for most every aspiring musician seeking to begin the journey, and many a young musician purchased his or her first instrument at his store. After the business was on firm ground and the requests for instruments, LP's and more increased, the couple moved the store to a larger location at 715 Avenue G in 1952 and moved their young family from the upstairs apartment to a house. In 1962, they moved a few doors down to what remained the store's location until its closing in September. The man will be missed, as is his store, as residents continue to pass by, stopping abruptly at the sight of the darkened windows until remembering that the old mainstay record shop is no longer there. But musicians don't really die They just move to another stage. In this case, Duke Ellington's band just gained a new band member". (Clipping from an unknown Fort Madison newspaper and provided courtesy of Virginia Rempe Wehmeyer.)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Harry Robert Rempe's memorial?
Harry Robert Rempe's memorial is located at: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Fort Madison, Lee County, USA.
When did Harry Robert Rempe death?
Harry Robert Rempe death on 14 Nov 1999 in Fort Madison, Lee County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Harry Robert Rempe's memorial?
Latitude: 40.6225014
Longitude: -91.3716965

Family Members:

Parent

Henricus “Harry” Rempe

(1895 - 1959)

Marie Elizabeth Budke Rempe

(1900 - 1994)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6225014, -91.3716965

2. Oakland Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6251200, -91.3671100

3. Wilson Pioneer Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6316986, -91.3946991

4. Elmwood Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6267014, -91.3352966

5. Fort Madison City Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6296997, -91.3233032

6. Gethsemane Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6450005, -91.3197021

7. Viele Cemetery
Viele, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6156000, -91.4342830

8. Locust Grove Pioneer Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6680380, -91.3467840

9. Hyde Grove Family Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6488000, -91.3158000

10. Box Grave
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6554500, -91.3209000

11. Half Breed Cemetery
Viele, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6196570, -91.4392130

12. Old Fort Madison Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6299000, -91.3040380

13. Hoffmeister Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6361008, -91.3016968

14. Hillcrest Memorial Park
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6403008, -91.3005981

15. Iowa State Penitentiary Cemetery
Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6367078, -91.2984834

16. Hickory Grove Cemetery
Washington Township, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6474700, -91.2967400

17. Rudd Family Cemetery
Montrose, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6071670, -91.4551500

18. Mary Ann Thomas Burial Site
Nauvoo, Hancock County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5570670, -91.3881170

19. Slack Cemetery
Fort Madison, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6482391, -91.2869263

20. Applegate Family Burial Ground
Viele, Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6285460, -91.4641000

21. Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery
Nauvoo, Hancock County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5508003, -91.3608017

22. Appanoose Cemetery
Hancock County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6035995, -91.2797012

23. Nauvoo's Old Cemetery
Nauvoo, Hancock County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5500100, -91.3618500

24. Fairview Cemetery
Lee County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6885986, -91.3292007