Fern Elizabeth Regehr was born to Pete and Lizzie Lohrentz on October 13, 1926 in Newton Kansas. She went to be with her heavenly father at the age of 93 on September 25, 2020.
Mom grew up on a farm east of Buhler, KS with an older sister and two younger brothers. She attended a one room schoolhouse and later graduated from Buhler High School. She worked at Bethel Deaconess Hospital until she met and married the love of her life, Arnold M. Regehr on October 1, 1948. It was Mom’s yellow dress that caught Dad’s attention at a birthday party, and the rest is history! To this union were born five children: Ron, Duane, Bonnie, Sheryl and Marilyn.
Eventually Mom and Dad ended up on the farm east of Buhler, where Mom had grown up. Mom of course kept very busy keeping the home going with gardening, canning, sewing and wonderful meals. She would get up early in the morning to make such things as pies and fried chicken to take to the field during harvest. Mom was also Dad’s right hand man on the farm helping in any way that was needed as well as playing an integral part in the many decisions demanded on the farm. She was adept at milking cows, driving tractor, truck and whatever else was needed at the moment. To help supplement the farm income, Mom drove school bus for the Buhler School district for thirteen years. This allowed her to be with her children and be on their schedule.
In 1991 Mom and Dad moved to Inman KS where they designed and built their retirement home. They enjoyed living there for 20 years after which time they moved to Pleasant View Home in Inman. Mom always loved her flower gardens but in her retirement years she had more time to display her green thumb. She volunteered at the Etcetera Shop in Hutchinson for many years. She enjoyed painting ceramics, many of which were gifted to her children and grandchildren. A highlight for her were weekly quilting times with a group of ladies at church which lasted for many years. Mom and Dad had a heart for shut-ins and mom loved fixing Christmas goodies and meals to take along. In their retirement years, they enjoyed many travels, some in their motorhome, others overseas to Russia, Paraguay and Haiti where they were privileged to hand out Christian literature and help dig water wells.
As the grandchildren came along, Mom always made sure she was well stocked with cookies, ice cream, sweet cereals, popcorn, pop and Werther’s Caramels. The grandchildren held a special place in her heart and she made every effort to attend all of their functions she could.
Mom trusted Christ as her Savior when she was a teenager and was baptized upon her confession of faith at Finamore Lake southeast of Buhler. At that time she became a member of the Hebron Mennonite Church of Buhler. After her marriage she spent the remainder of her years at Bethel Mennonite Church of Inman, serving in different capacities. Her heart for the Lord showed through in her servant’s heart and her and Dad’s desire to see their children and grandchildren walking with the Lord.
Fern was preceded in death by her husband Arnold Regehr, her parents and sister, Elfrieda Schmidt. Fern is survived by her son Ron (Janet) Regehr of Inman, Duane (Sharon) Regehr of Hesston, Bonnie (Ed) Zahn of Buhler, Sheryl (Tim) Busenitz of Inman, Marilyn (Laurence) Wiebe of Whitewater, 20 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 2 brothers, Milford Lohrentz, Buhler, KS and Raymond Lohrentz, Inman, KS.
Visitation will be held from 5-6:30 Friday, October 2, 2020 at Inman Funeral Home, with the family present. Graveside services will be held 10:00 am Saturday, October 3, 2020 at North Inman Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 am at Bethel Mennonite Church, Inman. The service will be live streamed on Inman Funeral Home’s facebook page and www.bethelinman.org. Memorials may be made to Heart Ministry in care of the funeral home. To leave a condolence for the family, visit: www.inmanfh.com.
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