Regina Terpening

A Memorial Mass is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church for Regina Terpening, Artesia, New Mexico. Mrs. Terpening, 84, died Monday, April 2, 2007 in Kerrville, Texas. Cremation has taken place. Father Richard Lifrak SS. CC. will officiate at the services. A Rosary Service is also planned for 7:00 p.m. Monday at Terpening Son Mortuary. Regina was born April 3, 1922 in Forman, North Dakota; the daughter of George Eiler and Mary Isabelle Weinberger Eiler. The family later moved to Glen Ullin, N.D. where she attended high school and received her Nursing Diploma from Mercy Hospital in Valley City, N.D. After being diagnosed with rheumatic fever, she was told she needed to live in a warmer, drier climate. She was encouraged to move to Roswell, N.M. by Mary Thompson, the family nurse and midwife. Reginas career extended over 60 years as a working registered nurse. While in Roswell, she worked at St. Marys Hospital. After moving to Artesia she worked at Artesia General Hospital, Eddy County Health Department, Artesia Head Start Program, and the Artesia Good Samaritan Center. Additionally, she worked for Doctors C. P. Bunch, Henry L. Wall, and Owen C. Taylor. Regina volunteered with the American Red Cross; as a camp nurse at Camp Tumbleweed; and as an assistant Cub Scout leader. For many years she assisted with the physicals for the Artesia Bulldog football players as well as checking blood pressures at the First National Bank. In later years, Regina worked at the Senior Center doing blood pressures and home visits. She has been a member of St. Anthonys Catholic Church since moving to Artesia and was a past president and member of the Alter society. She was also a member of the Altrusa Club and had served as president. She was preceded by her parents; by a sister-in-law Peggy Eiler; and by a brother-in-law Calvin Terpening. Survivors include sons Ralph Terpening and wife Fran of Freeland, Wash. and Bill Terpening and wife Margarett of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughters Mary Baker and husband Don of Albuquerque and Anne Hearn and husband Chet of Kerrville, Texas; a brother Tony Eiler of Irving, Texas; a sister-in-law Jean Terpening of Artesia; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and two great-great-nephews.