Ivan G. Regier, 83, of Grant, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023, in North Platte, Nebraska.
Born on September 6, 1939, in Lewellen, Nebraska, Ivan was the son of the late P.A. and Marie (Hubert) Regier. He graduated from Freeman Academy in Freeman, South Dakota, with the Class of 1957 and went on to graduate from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas (Class of 1962), where he studied business and philosophy.
In the autumn of 1961, Ivan married Ann Preheim, whom he had fortuitously met on a trip to visit his sister in South Dakota and later dated at Bethel College. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Japan to serve as house parents for missionary children with the Board of Missions for the General Conference Mennonite Church. Following two years abroad, they returned to the United States and settled on the Regier family farm north of Madrid, Nebraska where they would reside for much of their married lives before constructing a home near Westview in Grant, Nebraska.
Throughout his life, while Ivan was a farmer, he was most notably the proprietor of Regier Land Improvement, providing earth-moving services for clients across western Nebraska and eastern Colorado. Respected for his innovative work with heavy equipment, Ivan was known as a lifelong learner and an early adopter of new technology and practices in his field. He was passionate about hearing and sharing stories and enjoyed being known as "The Man with the Upside-down Face" and an "undercover Santa" due to his prodigious white beard. A lover of all things musical, Ivan also enjoyed participating in choirs and singing groups over the years, particularly barbershop.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, P.A. and Marie Regier, and his brothers, Karl, Herman, and Pete Jr., and sister, Marian.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ann, of Grant; his sons, Mark (Marlene) Regier of Elkhart, Indiana, and Michael Regier of Aurora, Colorado; one grandson, Mateo Regier; and sister, Ruth Preheim of Freeman, South Dakota.
Memorials are suggested to Bethel College at North Newton, KS, and Grant United Methodist Church. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
A celebration of Ivan's life and 60 years of moving dirt and building community will be held on October 14, 2023, at the Perkins County Fairgrounds in Grant from 4-7 p.m. Private family inurnment will take place in the Madrid Cemetery.