Regier, Verna Wedel (1917-1944)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Apr 20 p. 5

Birth date: 1917 Jan 29

text of obituary:

Local News

. . .

— Deep sympathy of friends here, at Elbing and other communities goes out to Wm. J. Regier, Route 3, in the death of his wife, who passed away at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital Thursday afternoon, April 13. Mrs. Regier had made a good recovery from a major operation and was getting ready to go home when she suffered a relapse and suddenly passed away. Her funeral last Sunday afternoon at the Zion church in Elbing was one of the largest held there in recent years. Rev. H.J. Dyck, local minister, and Rev. P. P. Wedel, Moundridge, preached the sermons and conducted the committal service at the grave. Mrs. Regier reached the age of 27 years. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wedel of Burns. Besides her grief-stricken husband she leaves a one year old daughter, her parents, several brothers and sisters and a large number of relatives on both sides of the family.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Apr 27 p. 7

text of obituary:

MRS. VERNA REGIER

"The Lord Has Given And The Lord Has Taken Away; Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord," Job 1:21

Verna Wedel Regier, daughter of Herman and Christina Voran Wedel, was born near Moundridge, Kansas, on January 29, 1917. The same year she moved with her parents on a farm near McPherson, Kansas, and lived there two years. In 1919 her parents bought a home in Garden Township near Halstead, Kansas, and here she grew to young womanhood. She received her education in the Garden Valley public school and in the Moundridge high school.

Throughout her girlhood Verna enjoyed very good health. This proved to be a blessing in her parental home. Being the oldest daughter in the family she took upon herself many of the responsibilities of the home. During her senior year in high school her mother was ill and so she helped in many of the household duties. In the year of 1937 the family moved to a farm near Burns, Kansas.

To know her was to love her. One of her most outstanding characteristics was her cheerful disposition. We shall always remember her for her bright smile and hearty cheer. This endeared her to all her many friends.

It is difficult to understand why God has taken Verna from our midst. She was so willing to help in various services. During her youth she was active in different church activities and in the 4-H club. Later when she established her own home and was not able to take part in such work she continued to show the same interest and desired to stay home by herself so that her husband could continue in his services. It was her one great joy to serve her Lord wherever she could.

Upon her confession of faith she was baptised in the First Mennonite Church of Christian, Moundridge, Kansas June 4, 1933, by her uncle, Rev. P. P. Wedel, and became a member of the church. Her baptismal admonition was, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." We are grateful to our Heavenly Father that He had given her grace to carry out this purpose in her life. later she transferred her membership to the Zion Mennonite Church of Elbing, Kansas.

On the Christmas of 1938 she announced her engagement to me, William J. Regier. We spent many happy evenings as we planned our future home. The Lord made it possible for us to join our hands in mutual love on the 26th of the following July. It was a joyful event in our lives.

We made our first home near my parental farm in which we spent nearly five happy years. Our common tasks became our daily joys. But our greatest joy was when little Joyce Eileen was born on March 2 of last year. Though she cannot realize it now, in years to come she will feel the loss of her mother’s guiding and loving hand. In March of this year Verna and I had the joy of planning and arranging our new home on the farm. It was God’s loving kindness that we were able to do this together. It will bring back many pleasant remembrances of her efficient hands.

Her sudden death was a very great shock to all. At the beginning of the year certain symptoms set in for which we sought medical aid. On April 2 she entered the Bethel Deaconess Hospital and underwent operation. With the loving care of her doctor and nurses, her recovery was exceptionally fast until a blood clot settled in her heart. While she was being placed in a chair she suddenly became faint and soon passed away to be with her Lord and Master.

Verna left her earthly abode on April 13, 1944, at 3:30 P. M. She leaves to mourn her husband, William J. Regier and daughter, Joyce Eileen, her parents Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wedel; her brothers and sisters, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Wedel, Howard, Elisabeth, Eleanor, Ruth, Wilmer, Clarence, Jane, and Kenneth; her husband’s family, Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Regier and Rev. and Mrs. Arnold J. Regier; and her many relatives and friends

“What though the way may be lonely,
     And dark the shadows fall;
I know where’er it leadeth,
     My Father planned it all.

The sun may shine tomorrow
     The shadows break and flee;
‘Twill be the way He chooses,
     The Father’s plan for me.

A day of light and gladness,
     On which no shade will fall,
‘Tis this at last awaits me —
     My Father planned it all.

I sing through shade and sunshine,
     And trust whate’er befall;
His way is best — it leads to rest;
     My Father planned it all.”

— The bereaved husband and family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1944 May 30 p. 3