Regehr, Eva Witt Kliewer (1860-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Oct 30 p. 5

Birth date: 1860 Mar 22

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. Eva Kliewer Regehr of Inman were to beheld at the Inman Mennonite church on Wednesday afternoon with the pastor, Rev. Aaron, in charge. The body was to be brought to the Gnadenberg church east of Newton for burial. Mrs. Regehr, who was 87 years of age, passed away at the Inman Home for the Aged, where she had lived since June. She is survived by her husband, Aaron M. Regehr; a daughter, Mrs. Marie Rosfeld of Route 3, Newton; a son, Edward Kliewer, of Newton; and three step-children.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Nov 13 p. 3

text of obituary:

EVA REGEHR

(The first portion of the obituary was written by the deceased on Oct. 9, 1947.)

I, Eva Witt Kliewer Regier [sic Regehr], was born March 22, 1860, near the city of Thorwin, West Prussia, Germany. My parents died early in my youth. I was left an orphan among other people. My education was poor. As my parents were of the evangelical faith, i also was taught in their faith, was baptized as a child, but later was confirmed and received into church membership.

When I was about 18 years old, I came to the U.S.A. and settled at Peabody, Kansas, with the help of other people. I lived in the community of Gnadenberg, east of Newton, Kansas, working out for wages to pay for the help given me to come here.

In 1884, I entered into wedlock with Andreas Kliewer. Three children were born to this union. One died in infancy.

While still of evangelical faith, I was convinced that he who believes and is baptized shall be save. therefore I was taught the Mennonite Creed, and upon the confession of my faith was baptized by the Elder Johann Schroeder, and received as a member in the Gnadenberg church.

After a period of twenty years, death dissolved our wedlock. For 26 years I endured many trials and hardships, but the merciful God led me through. I have kept my faith.

In 1931, February 25, I entered into a second marriage with the widower, A. M. Regehr, of Inman, Kansas. Rev. G. N. Harms officiated. this wedlock brought me into a new community and church in which we lived happily for eight years. Then death again took my husband from me.

I am still in this community and the Regehr children, who are the children of my second husband, are kind and loving to me. I am in the Inman Mennonite church and enjoy the fellowship with my neighbors. i rejoice in the Lord, and as i am past 85, I wish to leave for my heavenly home to be with the Lord Jesus forever.

* * *

She spent the last four months of her life in the Home for the Aged at Inman, where she was happy and contented. She treasured the care she received from her nurse, Mary Ann, and Bro. and Sister A. W. Wiens, parents of the home, very dearly.

Thursday evening at 10:30 p.m. she suffered another heart attack from which she never recovered. She went into the great beyond, of which she so freely spoke, on Saturday, October 25, 1947, at 10:20 p.m. she reached the age of 87 years seven months and three days. Her desire was to be with her Lord and we rejoice that we have the hope in meeting her in Glory.

She leaves to mourn her passing her daughter, Maria Rosfeld, and son Edward and his wife. One daughter, Helen, died in infancy. Four sisters and one brother preceded her in death. She also leaves four granddaughters, Blanch Regier, Erma Nuss, Iris Miller and Gladys Higgins; and seven great grandchildren. One grandson, Orland Kliewer, preceded her in death. Besides these there remain of her stepchildren two daughters, Margaret Pauls and Katie Neufeld, one son George, three sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Mrs. Viola Witt and her family also survive. One daughter, Lena, preceded her in death.

Those who knew her best loved her for her gentleness, kindness, and willingness to lend a helping hand wherever help was needed.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 29, 1947. A service for the friends in Inman was held at the Inman Mennonite church at one o'clock, with Rev. Aaron Epp officiating. A male quartet from the church sang "Looking this Way" and a male quartet form the Gnadenberg Mennonite church sang "I am Going Home."

Interment was made in the family lot in the Gnadenberg Cemetery with Rev. J. J. Voth in charge of the graveside services. Pall-bearers were Menno Penner, Isaac Harms, Valentine Harms, Gerhardt Harms and Fred Klassen. — The Children.