Community gives back to Ronnie Remp

By GWEN ALBERS Western News

Ron "Ronnie" Remp has spent a lifetime giving to others.

The Libby community is now giving back.

Hundreds of items valued at thousands of dollars have been donated for a May 5 benefit for Remp, who in November was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Items include a 1924 upright piano, trips to Las Vegas, a $5,000 arc welder, six guns, a $900 rocking chair, two mountain bikes, compound bows, rifle scopes and so much more.

"It's not just the businesses which are giving hugely," said benefit organizer Teri Noble. "I'm having local 'Joes' call up, saying 'this is so and so. I would like to donate.'"

It took fewer than two days to sell 1,000 raffle tickets at $5 each for a .17 Remington rifle donated by Jim Eliskovich and Jack Bratt.

"When you said 'Ron Remp,' they were handing me money and they didn't care what they were getting," Noble said. "I've worked on many functions before. You can't help but hug people that continue to give."

"People have been just amazing," added Renee Schad, who is Remp's younger sister. "When someone needs something, Libby is there."

The cocktail hour for the fundraiser at the Memorial Center starts at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6 and the live auction tentatively starting at 7. The evening also will include a silent auction, ladies' raffle and games. The $10 tickets are available at the door only. They expect about 400 people.

Since the diagnosis, Remp has been hospitalized for a total of 14 to 15 weeks in Kalispell and Seattle. A co-owner of Remp Sand and Gravel, he was to begin strong doses of chemotherapy, but has been unable because of numerous infections. Treatment can begin once the infections clear.

Remp, 52, has health insurance, but not everything, including some medicines, is covered. He is unable to work and his wife, Susan, took a leave of absence from her job as a caseworker with Families in Partnership.

That's why hometown friends like Noble and so many others have stepped up to the plate to help the couple, whose daughters are Nicole, 27; Kristen, 24; and Kerri Remp, 21; all in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.

For the fundraisers, Torgy's Casino will donate all the food, longtime friend Walt Torgison is donating the cake for dessert, Treasure Mountain will donate proceeds from beverage sales and auctioneer Lonnie Fosgate will conduct the live auction at no charge.

The Lincoln County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will match up to $1,000, said chapter coordinator Rita Gillan.

"He's an individual in need," Gillan said. "He has cancer and is needing financial assistance right now, and there's money available."

As for Ronnie Remp, who is the son of Iris Remp and the late Ray Remp, he's determined to beat his cancer.

"He's extremely spiritual," Schad said. "He never complains about anything."