Scott A Remund

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Arnold, NE

Born to Don and Valeria "Lari" (Schreiner) Remund on a blistering hot day on August 26, 1960, Scott Remund was welcomed home in Huron, SD, by big sisters Susan and Julie. The Remund family moved to Miller and Sturgis, SD, for Don's job with the telephone company before settling in Mitchell, SD, when Scott was three. Siblings Lynne, Mary, and David finished out the large and busy family with parents and kids coming and going to activities and part-time jobs all seasons of the year. Although she had six kids to choose from, Lari always noted that Scott was her biggest cuddler, and he later would be called "The Gentle Giant" for his big, strong hugs and ability to make others laugh.

Scott's youth was filled with siblings and friends, always pushing the limits of what his parents would tolerate. He spoke to his kids frequently about doing wheelies on his dirt bike, racing his 1969 AMC Javelin muscle car, swimming and shooting sports, and joining his friends for some pranks, including carrying his Volkswagen Bug into the school hallway. Despite the antics, he graduated from Mitchell High School in 1978, went on to acquire a sheet metal fabrication degree and then further studied refrigeration and cooling, all while working nights. If you ever had the opportunity to work on a project with Scott, you knew he was highly skilled at fixing things. If you ever had the opportunity to hunt with Scott, you knew he was an excellent shot.

Having degrees and skills in hand, Scott set forth on what he will be best known for, raising bright, talented, and caring children. There likely was not a day in his life that he didn't communicate with one of his children. And Scott didn't just check-in, he built meaningful relationships with each of his children through his communications with them and his care for their well-being and development. He stated that he saw his kids as friends, in addition to his children, and he treated them that way.

The first three of his five children came from his marriage to Kathy McBrayer on October 24, 1981, in Stickney, SD. Tyler and Emily were added to the family when Scott and Kathy lived in Pierre, SD, where Scott worked for, and later served as a manager at, the Pepsi Bottling Group. Scott served on the Pierre volunteer fire department and regretted that he couldn't continue serving as a volunteer fireman when the family moved to Huron, SD, for one of Scott's many promotions with Pepsi. Paul arrived shortly (very shortly) after the family's move to Huron. The family settled in to life in Huron, with Kathy growing her cosmetology business, Tyler, Emily, and Paul being involved in baseball, music, football, basketball, and wrestling, and Scott eventually serving as General Manager at Pepsi, covering Mitchell, Huron, and Pierre, SD. Under Scott's service as General Manager, they won Pepsi Bottler of the Year for the U.S. While his professional career kept him busy, Scott always found time for his kids and friends, including coaching their little league baseball teams, building an interest in hunting and fishing in his kids, and cooking for the kids, friends, and neighbors, including making the greatest fried potatoes.

His time in Huron, SD, also allowed him to meet a cowgirl from Nebraska, Holly Hornung, that had found her first job there after finishing college. Scott's relationship with Holly was centered on Scott's kids, Holly's family, and Scott's ever-devoted love for Holly and commitment to making her happy. Scott and Holly eventually purchased an acreage north of Huron in 1997 and Scott left Pepsi…..and started drinking Coke for the first time in two decades. At the turn of the century (literally), Scott and Holly were married in Huron, SD, with Scott's kids and Holly's siblings and cousin serving as the wedding party. Following his marriage to Holly, Scott started Beverage Plus and grew that business until deciding to work for Olsen Implement and then Wilbur-Ellis. Scott's demeanor and ability to have a conversation with anyone allowed him to quickly form relationships that served him well in many sales and leadership roles. The number of people that call Scott their friend is a testament to how he was able to connect with people.

Rio arrived and then one year later Riata was the last addition to Scott's family. Tyler, Paul, and Emily gave a warm welcome to Rio and Riata. Despite Tyler's rigorous coursework toward his doctorate degree in biomedical engineering, Emily's work on her degree from SDSU and budding relationship with Lance Kuehl, and Paul's miraculous senior year spent mostly in Rochester, MN, for brain surgery that culminated with him speaking at his high school graduation and then acquiring a degree from Mitchell Technical Institute, the family always found time to bring the "big kids" together with the "little kids". Rarely do you find a blended family with kids of such difference in ages that are so close.

With Rio soon to start pre-school, Scott and Holly made the decision in 2011 to move the family to Holly's family home in Arnold, NE. School activities, 4-H, and ranching filled their days with considerable challenge and joy. Scott quickly formed friendships with many in Arnold over a conversation at the gas station, a drink at Jim's, or coffee (he needed a couple pots each morning to start his day). The Nebraska and South Dakota contingencies of the family always found time to meet for camping, hunting, and other family activities.

Scott was rightfully proud of Emily's marriage to Lance Kuehl that gave him three playful, funny, and polite grandsons born in quick succession and a little girl that is on the way; a son-in-law in Lance that Scott frequently talked about for his growing leadership roles at Pioneer; Paul's marriage to Beth Barnes that gave him two little cowgirls and an adventurous grandson; a daughter-in-law in Beth that brokers shipments of apples worldwide and lights up every room with her smile and personality; and Tyler's marriage to Alyssa Storm that gave him a granddaughter that enjoyed tractor rides with Grandpa Scott; and a daughter-in-law in Alyssa that is an accomplished neuro acute care nurse and one of the most caring people you could meet.

In late 2016, Scott was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Opting for the most aggressive treatment available that would involve dozens of trips to Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD, and multiple surgeries over the next nearly six years, Scott put himself through what many would describe as torture to keep himself alive to have more time with his family. He outlived the normal survival rate, but fell short of his goal of seeing Rio and Riata graduate and meeting Emily's new baby. He was, however, able to experience Rio and Riata earning three state championships between them and qualifying for state-level competitions nine times (so far). Rio was a top six finisher at state wrestling as a sophomore and Riata qualified for state speech in two events as a freshman. There will be many accomplishments to come that he will miss, but he was fortunate to see many successes. Although he endured great suffering, he kept up with helping on the ranch and at their hotel, Winsome Inn & Suites, doted on Holly with almost daily deliveries of her favorite beverage, and worked at Nebraska Truck Centers toward the beginning of his treatment. There were many days he would leave at 2:00 am from Arnold to drive himself to Sioux Falls for treatment and return later that evening so Holly could stay home with Rio and Riata. During his treatment, Tyler remained a constant advisor on medical issues and Emily, Paul, Rio, and Riata were always encouraging him and providing him a distraction to his cancer, its treatment, and the many severe side effects.

On October 7, 2022, Scott passed away on the ranch, finally succumbing to the cancer. He had spent nearly six years putting up a hero's fight against cancer and its associated side effects, along with recent heart issues. Scott is survived by all of his siblings, children, and grandchildren, as well as Holly and Kathy. He is predeceased by his parents, Don and Lari.

Scott's success in raising his children provides an enduring legacy that is already reflected in the way Tyler, Emily, and Paul are raising their children and the success they have had in their professional careers. Dr. Tyler Remund serves as Product Manager at Intrado Healthcare and has helped develop life-saving and life-improving medical technologies. Emily Kuehl has been with Dakotaland Federal Credit Union since her graduation from college serving as a graphic designer and somehow managing a remote work career with three young boys at home. Paul Remund is an agronomist at Sioux Nation of Fort Pierre and has replaced Scott as the best-known and best-liked person in Central South Dakota. Rio's growth into a strapping man that is the first to jump in to help coincided with when Scott most needed physical assistance to replace his weakening body. And daddy's little girl, Riata, was the most empathetic soulmate that Scott could have asked for when he needed a distraction and a caring hug. Scott, if you are listening, you succeeded!

On October 13, 2022, visitation will be held at 9:30 CT at Crossroads Lakes (40884 Drive 801, Arnold, NE), funeral held at 11:00 CT at Crossroads Lakes, and graveside services following at 12:30 CT at Arnold Cemetery. Lunch will follow at Crossroads Lakes. Please join the family to celebrate Scott. Services will be live streamed at www.govierbrothers.com 

Scott's family extends their appreciation to the Sanford Health oncology team and the many friends and family members in South Dakota and Nebraska that have helped them over the last six years.

Given the pride Scott had in the degrees held by Tyler, Emily, and Paul, a college fund has been set up for Rio and Riata for those wishing to donate. Donations payable to Remund College Fund can be made at Pinnacle Bank – Arnold or by mail to Holly at 40884 Drive 801, Arnold, NE 69120.