REGINA MARGARETE HUMMEL

With heavy hearts, we announce that Regina passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at the Selkirk Regional Hospital with her loving husband, Hubert, and her son, Christopher at her side.

Regina is survived by her husband of 62 years, Hubert; children Louise Loewen (Brian), Monica Parsons (Owen), Wendell Hummel (Bev), Michael Hummel (Janet), Hubert Hummel (Jodi) and Christopher Hummel; grandchildren Rebecca Crozier (Cody), Emily Loewen, Sarah Loewen (Lane), Amanda Hart (Alex), Jared Parsons (Sarah), Ryan Parsons, Jordan Hummel (Lisa), Alex Hummel (Sarah), Mieka Hummel, Kiera Hummel (Eric), Caillin Hummel and Braeden Hummel, Levi VanderStelt and Cody VanderStelt; great grandchildren, Charlie Crozier, Tristan, Lauren, Alistair and Dominik Hart; sister, Elsa Mergel, as well as many extended family in Canada and Germany.  Regina was predeceased by her parents Wendelin and Regina Altmeyer, her sister, Adelheid, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Otto and Mathilde Hummel, twin grandsons, Hubert and Michael Parsons, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Rudy and Elizabeth Hummel and brother-in-law Andreas Mergel.

Born in Beodra, Yugoslavia (present day Serbia), Regina often shared fond memories of her life as a child in happier times.  WWII would change all of that as her family was torn apart and life as she knew it was forever changed.  Having endured the hardships that followed, including being placed in a concentration camp, Regina was the epitome of a true survivor.  Following WWII, Regina was reunited with her mom and sister, Elsa and they made their new home in Germany.  Independent and resilient, in 1957, at the age of 21, she sought a new life for herself and made the voyage on her own to Canada.   Canada became her new country and the farming community of Little Britain, Manitoba became her new home.

It was not long after arriving in Little Britain that Regina met Hubert and instantly, they became inseparable.  On September 27, 1958 Regina and Hubert were married and their 62-year adventure together began. In July, 1959 they welcomed their daughter, Louise, followed in 1962 with their daughter Monica.  In 1965 they welcomed Wendell, the first of four sons.  In 1966 Michael was born followed by Hubert in 1972 and with the birth of Christopher in 1975 their family was complete.  The Hummel family would continue to grow as Owen, Bev, Janet, Brian and Jodi married into the family.  Regina was blessed with fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  She definitely had the large family that she had always wanted.

Important to Regina was being a “good mom”.  Because of her childhood she worried that she didn’t know how to be a mom. In spite of her childhood, and her doubts, she was an amazing mom.  Regina instilled in each of her children the importance of family, the importance of education (the one thing that can’t be taken from you) and the value of working hard.  She was very proud of each of her children and grandchildren and their accomplishments.

Regina was a woman of deep faith.  A member of St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, she appreciated her church community and enjoyed participating in the choir.  Regina spent many years volunteering for Pregnancy Distress Services and enjoyed taking faith based courses at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  In recent years, due to failing health, she regretted that she was not able to participate in her church community and treasured those times when her health was better and she could attend church services. She was ever grateful that Christopher would ensure that she could receive Communion on those occasions that she could not attend in person.

Family was her great love.  Regina was a true “momma bear”, there was nothing she would not do for her children/grandchildren. Being Oma to her grandchildren was a role she embraced whole-heartedly.  Oma was always open to babysit, make a “nest” on the floor for the little ones to cuddle up in, and to take the little ones to the zoo or for a special treat. Holidays at “the farm” were busy as we all would gather with the grandchildren in tow to enjoy family time. While parents were challenged with keeping order amongst their children, Oma was in her element, reveling in the joy and comfort of having her family together. With family living in Swan River and The Pas, Oma and Opa would venture north – often bringing the grandchildren treats and many new, cool outfits.  She also was so happy to have been able to visit her grandsons, Levi and Cody in Minnesota and to have been able to attend Levi’s Confirmation.

Regina and Hubert enjoyed travelling and were able to explore much of Canada, the midwestern USA and took a trip to Germany where they met their family who lived there.  An Alaska cruise and time in the Maritimes were especially memorable. In recent years Regina was no longer able to take long trips but she enjoyed short trips to Thief River Falls, MN, Mahnomen, MN, and Warroad, MN where she could ‘try her luck’ at her favorite machine, and to Albertville, MN for her annual Black Friday shopping trip..  As recently as July 10 she made the trip to The Pas where she visited with her daughters and their families. The trip was exceptionally difficult for her but through this visit she gave us the gift of having the chance to see her one last time.  That was Regina, taking care of her family and putting them ahead of her own needs even in times when physically it was extremely hard on her.

Family celebrations always included many extended families, and friends who were considered family.  Regina was known for her delicious meals – and thankfully passed her cooking talent on to her children.  Unsurpassed however, were the amazing cakes and tortes that she loved to make and that adorned many a table.  All were made with her “special ingredient” and none of us have been able to duplicate them!

Regina’s life was one well lived.  She embraced her life in Canada and on the farm as a new start.  Her resilience and independence served her well as she looked forward to providing for her family the best possible life instilling values that are realistic and true.  During the last few years as her health waned, mom sought her strength in God and her support from her husband and her son Christopher.  Christopher made sure that she was as comfortable as she could be and that she was well looked after.  Our family is forever grateful that Christopher took this on as she was able to remain living in the family home that she and Hubert spent their lives in.

A celebration of Regina’s life will be held at a later date at St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, Little Britain Manitoba.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Regina’s memory to Siloam Mission or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

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