Regier, Agnes Epp (1907-2005)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2005 Apr 15 p. 2; 2005 Apr 18 p. 2

Birth date: 1907

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Sep 26 p. 8

text of obituary:

AGNES EPP REGIER

Agnes Epp Regier, 97, of Whitewater, Kan., died April 14, 2005, at Wheat State Manor. She was born Sept. 15, 1907, to John and Anna (Regier) Epp on a farm in rural Whitewater.

Because her mother died two hours after giving birth to her, she was initially raised by her paternal aunt, Agnethe (Epp) Thiessen, and Agnethe's husband, Heinrich. When she was 2, she was returned to her father's home.

She attended elementary school in nearby Brainerd and Hesston Academy. In 1932 she moved to Upland, Calif., where she lived with her cousin, Agnes (Thiessen) Wiebe, and Agnes' husband, Alfred. While there, she obtained her high school diploma by completing courses at Chaffey Junior College in Ontario, Calif.

During a return visit to Kansas, she became engaged to Edward B. Regier, a dairyman in rural Whitewater, and they were married Dec. 12, 1935, at Emmaus Mennonite Church in rural Whitewater. He preceded her in death in 1982.

She was a member of the Emmaus church. Supporting missionaries was an important part of her life. She also valued education and was a homemaker at heart. Her family knew her as a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed singing, writing and spending time with her and her husband's many nieces and nephews.

She was the last surviving member of her generation of her family as well as her husband's large family. Survivors include her three children, Arlen Regier and his wife, Clara, of Newton, Joyce Keys and her husband, Robert, of Topeka, and Daryl Regier and his wife, Shari, of rural Whitewater; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Her burial and memorial service took place at Emmaus Mennonite Church.