Regehr, Katherine Maria Klassen (1909-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jun 21 P. 26

Birth date: 1909 Oct 4

text of obituary:

KATHERINE MARIA REGEHR

Katherine Maria Regehr passed away Mar. 14 in Abbotsford, B.C. She was born Oct. 4, 1909 to David and Katharina Klassen in Kan- temirowka, Russia. When she was 12, the family fled to the Kuban. Here she ac- cepted Christ. The fam- ily immigrated to Hep- burn, Sask. Within a year, they moved to Coaldale, Alta . She re- luctantly gave up school to go to work to help support the family. She was baptized July 17, 1927, joining the MB Church. She mar- ried Cornie Regehr Apr. 20, 1940. They moved to Yarrow, B.C. and Van- couver, where Cornie worked in the ship- yards. They soon re- turned to Yarrow. She raised a family and was active in school, church and the ladies aid. In 1956 they moved to a 7-acre berry farm. She taught Sunday school for students with dis- abilities and helped launch the MCC annual sale and MCC self-help stores . She had a love of books and learning. In the 1960s, she and Cornie completed grade 11 at night school. Cornie retired as a rural mailman in the early 1980s. They were active with church work and running the farm. After Christmas 1987, she suffered an aneurysm and was ex- pected to die, but came out of a coma after a few days. Although she never regained full health, she was able to travel a little, go to church and keep her sense of humour. In 1993 they moved to a condo in Abbotsford. Sh e crocheted for her daughters and grand- daughters and read the Bible and other books. Predeceased by a sister, she is mourned by Cornie; children John, Hank, Corny Jr., and Margarete Friesen; 8 grandchildren; 2 sisters and 1 brother. The memorial service was Mar. 18 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbots- ford, with Heinz Ratzlaff and Jay Neufeld ministering.