Obituary of Hildegarde Rose Regier

To view the livestream and recording of Hildegarde's service please click here.

Hildegarde passed away peacefully at Lanark Heights Long Term Care Community on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the age of 86 years. She was an active member of the W-K United Mennonite Church. 

Survived by her husband Waldemar Regier, children Rod Regier, Gerald (Mary) Regier, Lynette (Linden) Gossen and Glenda (Rick) Pauw, daughter-in-law Lisa Langwieder, grandchildren Ben and Alexandra Langwieder, Torin Regier, Alayne Gossen, Robyn Gossen (Jithu Tomy), Lauren (Calvin) Rivard and great grandchildren Caidence and Dexter.

Predeceased by her father Abram Neufeld, mother Katharina Neufeld (Rose), brothers Abe, Ben, Peter and Walden, and sisters Elsie and Kay.

Hildegarde was born in the village of Drake, Saskatchewan in 1934. She was the youngest of seven children, and six years younger than her next brother with whom she spent a joyful and carefree childhood. Her mother passed away following a brief illness when Hildegarde was 16 years old. Hildegarde would fondly recall the support of her community which rallied around her in the years following her mother’s death.

Following graduation from High School, Hildegarde enrolled in Nursing School at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C. There she found many life-long friends, who reconvened regularly in subsequent decades. Even in her last few weeks, Hildegarde recounted this student experience as “wonderful”.

Hildegarde met Waldemar Regier at Canadian Mennonite Bible College (Winnipeg) in 1957 and they married on a glorious day in September,1958. They spent the following years studying, raising a family, and beginning careers. Hildegarde worked part-time at the University Hospital in Saskatoon and Rosthern Union Hospital in Saskatchewan. When they moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario in 1978, she resumed her nursing career focusing on geriatric care with postings at Pleasant Manor in Virgil, Linhaven Home in St. Catharines, St. Joseph’s Home in Guelph and Parkwood Manor in Waterloo.

Not long after retirement in 2000, Hildegarde lost much of her eyesight to glaucoma and retinal occlusion. While this was disappointing, she remained a dynamic and engaged member of the community, grandmother to a bunch of vital and energetic children. She and Waldemar held the family nucleus on Briarcliffe Cr. in Waterloo, the garden of which became the focus of many family events.They purchased a camper and relished many long road trips, back to the prairies and B.C., down to the Carolinas, across to Newfoundland, and hosting annual family gatherings at Point Farms on Lake Huron. In her later years, she coordinated the family from their “birds nest” apartment on Ellen Street with her iPad and telephone.

Hildegarde was an engaged and compassionate friend. She savoured life and loved many. She faced her physical challenges with strength, courage, grace, and generosity. 

The family would like to thank the staff and friends (Jim Uhrig) at Lanark Heights Long Term Care Community, who provided care and community for Hildegarde since July, 2020.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, to attend the visitation for Hildegarde, personal face coverings are required and relatives and friends must register (RSVP) by calling the funeral home. Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  A private Memorial Service will be held in the chapel of the funeral home on Sunday, March 21 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Ben Cassels of W-K United Mennonite Church officiating. All are invited to view the livestream and recording of the service at www.erbgood.com by selecting Hidegarde’s tribute page. Cremation will have taken place and a private family interment will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener.

Condolences for the family and donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of your choice may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.