Ella Regier

Ella Kroeker Regier, age 99, passed away peacefully at Kidron Bethel Village Health Care on April 8, 2026. She was born on September 19, 1926, to Peter and Sarah (Wiens) Kroeker, at their home near Inman, Kansas. She attended Inman grade school, where her first lessons were to learn English, since only German was spoken in her home. Ella graduated from Inman High School and also graduated from Bethel Deaconess School of Nursing, in Newton, Kansas, in 1949.

Ella met Edwin Regier while attending First Mennonite Church in Newton. They fell in love, married on May 2, 1950, settled down on Edwin’s family farm, East of Newton, and raised six children.

She was a phenomenal cook, and ran the Wagon Wheel Restaurant out of her home for fifteen years. She was a busy homemaker, gardener, farm wife, and mother of six, but she still found time to read---a favorite pastime. She taught third grade Sunday School for 28 years. She and Edwin loved camping with family and friends. In her own words, “I love the Lord with all my heart.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; her infant brother, Ernest; her siblings, Amanda (John Neufeld), Eldo (Gracie) Kroeker, Donna Kroeker (sister-in-law); daughter-in-law, Donna Regier; and grand-daughter, Valerie Antranikian.

Ella is survived by her brother, John Kroeker of Inman; her children, Jerry Regier, Jan and Haig Antraniakin, Chuck and Bev Regier, Ruth and Dwayne Abrahams, Dwight and Janet Regier, and Ken and Amy Regier. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

There will be a viewing at Petersen’s from 4 to 6 pm and then a visitation at First Mennonite Church in Newton with family present from 6 to 8 pm, both on Monday, April 13, 2026. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Newton on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 10 am, with a service following at First Mennonite Church at 11 am. Memorials may be given to MCC, Camp Mennoscah, or First Mennonite Church, and left with Peterson Funeral Home.