Obituary of Marie Regier

 

June 23, 1927 - June 1, 2024

96 Years

 

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, Marie Regier of Rosthern, SK was welcomed “home” to be with her Saviour. She peacefully drew her final breath at the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home, where she had been residing.

Marie is lovingly remembered and survived by son Norman Regier, son-in-law Alfred Krause, son David Regier (partner Helen Dowsett, former spouse Donna Dutchak Regier), son Benjamin Regier, daughter Lois (and Kenneth) Bergen, daughter Vivian (and Rodney) Dyck, and daughter Kathleen Suderman, as well as former daughter-in-law Darlene (and Bernd) Winkleman. 20 grandchildren also survive her, some with partners or spouses, as well as 33 great-grandchildren, 6 step-great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Though too numerous to name here, all were SO loved and celebrated, read to and played with by Marie, and for whom she loved to bake cookies and fleisch perishki.

“Sweet Marie” was so nicknamed and predeceased by her loving husband Abraham J Regier in 2007. In the following years she talked longingly about joining her “sweetie” again someday. She was also predeceased by great-granddaughter Kailey Dyck in 2007, daughter June Krause in 2021, and son-in-law Rodney Suderman in 2023.

Two sisters survive Marie, Velma Froese of Abbotsford, BC and Joyce Warkentin of Canmore, AB, as well as sister-in-law Martha Regier of Niverville, MB. Marie’s other 6 siblings and their spouses, and all other sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law have predeceased Marie.

Marie was born in Drake, SK to Gustav and Anna (nee Bartel) Ediger. She claimed the Christian faith at an early age, we believe at age 8 or 9, then renewed her commitment to Christ during Bible School and was baptized in 1944. Her faith defined her throughout her entire life, with children and grandchildren alike remembering her as both a great example and mentor to them. Marie was a keen speller already as a child, and in later years many of her children and grandchildren tried their best but seldom succeeded in beating her in Scrabble. In addition to being “sweet”, Marie was known far and wide for her incredibly positive nature as well as compassionate presence and was often heard singing as she worked or interacted with her grandchildren.

Meeting while studying at the Rosthern Bible School and Rosthern Junior College, Marie and Abe were married on October 17, 1946. After some years farming together outside of Watrous, Marie and their 7 children moved along with Abe numerous times as Abe journeyed on from lay ministry to theological studies and then full-time pastoral ministry in various churches associated with Mennonite Church Canada, including Bethany Mennonite Church of Watrous, SK, Elmwood Bethel Mennonite of Winnipeg, MB, MacGregor Bergthaler in MB, Rosemary Mennonite in AB, and Warman Mennonite in SK.  Marie’s final church membership was at Rosthern Mennonite Church where she and Abe had been active participants during their retirement years. In many of these churches, Marie taught Sunday School and led children’s choirs, in addition to coordinating quilting circles, Bible studies, and other women’s ministries. She taught 4H sewing in the community andwith open arms welcomed countless of her children’s friends, members of the church community, and even strangers, into their home, her warmth enhanced by delicious and nutritious meals. Even after journeying into what some at one time called “health nut” tendencies, her baking was loved and craved by all in her family. She was also famous for her dill pickles, even supplying them to a local restaurant for some years.

In recent years Marie lived with dementia, but true to her nature, accepted where she needed to be and made every attempt to befriend fellow residents as long as her health made possible. Marie’s family is grateful for the caring and professional caregivers at the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home that shepherded her during her last weeks and months and will so miss Sweet Marie.
 

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Thursday, June 13, 2024

11:00 A.M.

Grace Mennonite Church

50 Pembroke Road

Neuanlage, SK

Fellowship meal to follow the service.

 

 

Live stream link for Marie Regier's Funeral Service

 

 

INTERMENT

Rosthern Cemetery

 

 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the

 Youth Farm Bible Camp of Rosthern

Box 636, Rosthern, SK S0K 3R0

 

 

 

Arrangements entrusted to Funk's Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK

 

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