COTTONWOOD — The Lakeview cross country team has put together a merchandise fundraiser to support the Remiger family, in the recent passing of Patrick Remiger.

Remiger died Friday as a result of a firetruck accident in Yellow Medicine Country, north of Cottonwood, and was the husband of Lakeview’s head cross country coach, Becky Remiger. The two have three children, Cole, Tate and Shelby. Tate and Shelby are current runners for the cross country program, while Cole graduated last year and was also on the cross country team.

Partnering with Jim’s Clothing & Sporting Goods, the cross country team has created an online memorial T-shirt and sticker order.

“Our cross country team has put together an online T-shirt order in remembrance of Pat Remiger, along with memorial decals available for purchase,” Lakeview Schools posted on Facebook. “We’d love for our community to join us in honoring Pat by ordering and wearing these shirts. The team will proudly wear them at the home cross country conference meet on Tuesday, October 14. Let’s fill the course with support and remembrance.”

The online store closes on Tuesday at 1 p.m., and can be accessed at jims-clothing.printavo.com/merch/patrick-remiger-me morial-2025.

“All funds raised will go directly to Patrick’s family to support them during this difficult time,” Jim’s Clothing & Sporting Goods posted on Facebook. “Thank you for your support in helping us honor Patrick’s memory.”

Detailed on the ordering website, there is a $5,000 goal and $4,558 has been raised as of Wednesday early evening.

All orders will be bagged individually by the team, and will be available for pickup on Oct. 14, the day of the home meet. Orders not affiliated with the cross country team can be picked up at the Lakeview High School Office. Orders to be shipped are not expected to be delivered by Oct. 14.

Lakeview Cross County Team Alumni is also accepting monetary donations that will go towards the Remiger children’s future educational expenses.

“The Lakeview Cross Country Alumni are coming together to support Coach Remiger and her three children after the loss of Pat. We are gathering free-will donations to help with the kids’ future educational expenses,” Ethan Schwankl, one of the club members, posted on Facebook. “Thank you for helping us show love and support to a family who has given so much to our community.”

Detailed on the fundraising flyer, “This is a chance to show love and support for a family that has given so much to our community. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference in their future.”

Donations, cash or check, can be given to Schwankl, Traci Olson, Emily Enger or Jennifer Schwankl.

Minneota/Canby cross country head coach Allyson Pesek has also voiced her support for the Lakeview team, as the two programs compete in the same section.

“Our cross country family is heartbroken by the loss impacting Lakeview Cross Country. We are lifting up Coach Remiger, her children, and the Lakeview runners during this difficult time,” Pesek posted on Facebook. “If you feel moved to help, please consider supporting their family through the free-will donation put together by Lakeview’s past and present athletes. Every gift is a reminder that they are not walking this road alone.”

In a resilient manner, the Lakeview cross country team competed at the Montevideo Invitational on Tuesday, and Tate Remiger finished in first place of 44 runners in the 5,000 meter race with a time of 17:19.90. He came out on top with time to spare, eight seconds ahead of the second-place finisher.

Shelby Remiger also had a big day, leading Lakeview in the girl’s race with a 13th place finish and time of 23:34.70.

Cross country is a large part of the Remiger family, and Becky expressed excitement about the team’s performance after Lakeview’s first meet of the season on Aug. 25 at the Cottonwood Invitational. Tate opened his season with a fifth-place finish that day, leading the Lakers.

“He’s (Tate) put in so much work this summer. His goal last year, was (to go to) state this year,” Becky told the Independent following the meet. “This summer, he had to be to work at 7:15 a.m., and he would get up at 5:30 or 6 a.m. to get his run in. He put in a ton of work this summer, and it was so nice to see it pay off for him … It was almost like a 30 second PR (personal record) for him today.”

The Lakeview cross country team plans to wear the fundraiser T-shirts when it hosts the Camden Conference Meet on Oct. 14 at the Cottonwood Country Club. Community members are also welcomed to attend the races and support the runners.

Cole Remiger, the oldest of the three children, took a moment on social media to recognize Patrick and acknowledge the support that family has received.

“The last time I saw my dad, he was away from the farm, cheering me on at my first collegiate cross country race. After the race, he gave me a hug and told me how proud he was of me,” Cole Remiger said on Facebook. “There have been so many friends, family and neighbors that have shown up, and everyone has some little connection to him. I believe that’s really a testament to the kind of man and dad he was.”