Regier, Anna Claassen (1861-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Jan 20 p. 5

Birth date: 1861 Dec 14

text of obituary:

. . .

— A charter member of the First Mennonite church here, Mrs. Anna Regier, was laid to rest Friday afternoon, Jan. 14. Services at the home, 519 East Fifth street, and at the church were conducted by Rev. D. J. Unruh and Rev. J. E. Entz. Mrs. Regier, who was 87 years of age, passed away at the Bethel Deaconess hospital Jan. 11. She and her husband, the late John Regier, were the first couple married in the original building of the First church. The surviving children are John P. Regier of Long Beach, Calif., Ben C. Regier and Marie and Helen Regier of Newton, Mrs. H. R. Regier of Elbing, Mrs. Henry Wiebe of Whitewater, and Gustav Regier of Martheasville [sic Marthasville], Mo. A brother, Peter M. Claassen of Newton, also survives.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Feb 17 p. 6

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA REGIER

Mrs. Anna Regier, nee Claassen, daughter of Rev. Peter and Anna Claassen, was born in Kaminki, West Prussia, Germany on December 14, 1861.

She spent her childhood years at home and attended the grade schools after which she spent one and one-half years in a girls’ school at Neusalz of which she often made mention. In the year of 1878, at the age of 16 years, she with her parents immigrated to America; they settled in Newton where for four years she assisted her parents in giving a welcome to new immigrants that came to settle in this community at that time.

She was baptized at the age of 16 by Rev. Leonard Suderman and joined the Mennonite Church, of which she remained a faithful member until her death.

On June 9, 1881, she was married to John Regier, they being the first couple to be married in the then newly built church where the First Mennonite church now stands on East First Street. They then settled on their farm four miles east of Newton.

This union was blessed with eight children, of whom one son died at the age of nine years in an accident. In 1905, after a short illness, her husband was taken from her side. These were hard experiences for her but she faithfully carried on and trusted in her Lord for help and guidance.

In 1927 she retired to her present home on East Fifth Street in Newton, where she spent the declining years of her life in the circle of family and friends and where she enjoyed the eve of her life. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were a special delight to her. She fell asleep in Jesus, January 11, 1949, at the age of 87 years and 28 days.

She is survived by one brother, P. M. Claassen, and the following children: Mr. and Mrs. John P. Regier of Long Beach, California: Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Regier of Elbing; Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Wiebe of Whitewater; Gustav E. Regier of Marthasville, Mo., and Mary and Helen of the home. Also, 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren survive.

A short service was held at the late home for members of the immediate family at 1:30 p. m. on Friday, January 14, 1949. Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite church at 2:00 p. m. with Rev. J. E. Entz and Rev. D. J. Unruh officiating. A male quartet composed of Ben Wedel, Hilmar Voth, Carl Busenitz and Elgin Buller sang "Abide With Me” and "That Beautiful Land.” Mrs. Anna Thiessen sang a solo entitled “Ich Moechte Heim." She was accompanied at the piano by Miss Louise Entz.

A mixed quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Regier, P. C. Andres and Mrs. D. J. Unruh sang two numbers at the graveside.

The Mennonite obituary: 1949 Feb 15 p. 12