Cornelia Mininger

Cornelia Grace (Regehr) Mininger, our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed peacefully from this earth into the loving, open arms of her Lord Jesus Christ on September 26, 2017 at the HopeWest Hospice Unit in Grand Junction, Colorado. She was blessed with 87 years and 8 months. Born on January 20, 1930 in Firebaugh, California to John D. and Helena (Loewen) Regehr, she was the 8th child in a family of nine children. Mom attended schools in Winton and Livingston, California. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior; expressing a strong faith throughout her life.

Cornelia married Gerald Post Mininger in Winton, California on March 30, 1947. They were given 68 wonderful years together. This union was blessed with four sons and two daughters. In 1961, God called Dad into the ministry. Mom worked as a supportive and faithful companion entertaining and cooking countless meals for folks visiting or just “traveling through.” Laughter, story-telling and singing gospel hymns filled the home and contributed to many a visitor’s memories of Mom and Dad’s hospitality!

While in California and to help with the family income and a preacher husband who “farmed for a living”, Mom spent many cold spring days pulling small sweet potato plants from the “hot-beds.” During the summer months, she worked in open-air sheds under the blazing California sun, cutting peaches that would be dried on wooden trays laid on the ground outside. The autumn months often found her in dark, cool, and musty cellars packing sweet potatoes for market.

Mom was a talented homemaker! Her home was always clean and uncluttered. Her delicious home-cooked meals were enjoyed by many harvest crews and friends, strangers and family. Sewing, crocheting, and quilting were favorite pastimes, which she seemed to always find time for. Whether making clothes for herself or two daughters, her grandchildren or folks in the community, she did so with admirable expertise! The many beautiful quilts Mom stitched were always quilted by hand. Mom also loved jig-saw puzzles, playing games and picnics. Her children and grandchildren have many fond memories of those good times!

In 1986, Mom and Dad retired from farming in Weld County and moved to Sarasota, Florida where Dad became a “winter pastor” serving a large Mennonite congregation. Mom loved this coastal area and climate and their “snow-bird” lifestyle! Travel was also a beloved pastime for Mom and Dad. They made and cultivated numerous friendships everywhere they went, many which remain strong to this day. When Dad’s eyesight eventually weakened and failed, their traveling adventures sadly came to an end.

Mom is survived by her six children, Wayne (Ardith) Mininger, Greeley, CO., Marietta Nightengale, Sublette, KS., Galen (Gloria) Mininger, Greeley, CO., Kevin (Eva Rae) Mininger, Collbran, CO., Evangelyn (Mike) Nightengale, Copeland, KS., and Max (Jean) Mininger, Grand Junction, CO.; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Rachel Unruh, Bonners Ferry, ID., Leonard (Dessie) Regehr, Buhl, ID., and Lovina Regehr, Greeley, CO.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; her parents, John and Helena Regehr; two brothers, Bernard and John Regehr; three sisters, Amanda Toews, Marianne Giesbrecht and Susan Koehn; and one son-in-law, Henry Nightengale.

A visitation will be held from 5-7:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at the Allnutt Macy Chapel. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, October 2, 2017 at the Living Water Fellowship Church (formerly the Greeley Mennonite Church), 402 11th Avenue, Greeley, CO. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens with a reception to follow back at St. Johns United Church of Christ, 2815 W. 20th Street, Greeley, Colorado.

Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest Hospice, Grand Junction, CO, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Please visit www.allnutt.com to send condolences to the family.