Hiebert, Mary J. Regier (1886-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Feb 12 p. 7

Birth date: 1886

text of obituary:

Retired Tabor College German Instructor, Dorm Matron Dies

Hillsboro, Kan. — Mrs. Mary J. Regier Hiebert, who gave generously of her life and means to Christian higher education throughout her lifetime, died on Jan. 31 at Parkside Homes, Hillsboro, at the age of 84.

To honor her dedication to this cause and to continue her influence her family has established a scholarship fund to aid foreign students who study at Tabor College.

Mrs. Hiebert was closely connected with Tabor College much of her life. When Tabor opened its doors in 1908 she enrolled, graduating in 1912 with a second grade certificate.

After a period of teaching and further studies at other institutions, in 1920 she became matron of the girls dormitory at Tabor. Her gift of $15,000 towards the construction of this building, for which she received a lifelong annuity, covered half its cost.

In 1924 she graduated from Tabor with an A.B. degree. She continued as matron for about 20 years. The last nine years in Hillsboro she also taught German at the college.

In 1956 when the new library was constructed, she made another major gift of $15,000 for books to Tabor College.

Her interest in young people continued as she grew older. For about 20 years she operated a Iarge rooming house in Emporia to accommodate college girls.