Regan, Catherine 'Kate' 1867 - 1940

REGAN, BOLAND, KANN, KELLEHER, GLENNON, URIELL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/26/2023 at 21:43:02

Clayton County Register, 20 Nov. 1940.

On Nov. 11, 1940, Catherine Regan died. She was born July 18, 1867 in Read township and on October 17, 1894 was united in marriage to Michael Regan at Algona, Iowa.

On February 28, 1919 her husband preceded her in death.

There were born to this marriage five children. Margaret, the oldest, died December 08, 1907 at the age of 10 years.

Mrs. Regan left surviving her, Mrs. Phillip Boland, Elkader and her daughters, Catherine and Delores who remained at home with her; and her son, Dr. John Regan, who is assistant superintendent of the State Hospital at Providence, R.I.

Also surviving her are five sisters, Mrs. Mary Kann, Minot, N.D.; Mrs. Cecelia Kelleher, Elkader; Mrs. Ella Glennon, Rochester, Minn. and Sarah and Regina Uriell of Elkader.

She was buried from St. Joseph's church here, the Rev. Msgr. J. P. Taken officiating, on Wednesday, November 13, 1940 and was laid to rest in St. Joseph's cemetery. Her pallbearers were E. C. Fitzpatrick, Jack Donlon, A. Davidsaver, Leo Niemeyer, Joseph Hyde and C. F. Murphy.

Kate Regan, as she was familiarly known, epitomized in her life the acceptance of the burdens which those of us who live in this world must be able to assume. For fifteen years she was confined to her bed and much of the time was unable to move any part of her body for any perceptible distance.

She bore her affliction with courage and fortitude. She was always happy. She reproved those who lacked her feelings of optimism. She lived in the world and of the world and yet apart from it. She must have been given some special courage to suffer as she did.

It certainly must be a sense of great satisfaction to her children that they were able to do for her what they did. It was the lot of her two daughters who remained at home to do most for her. They accepted their responsibility and followed the Divine instruction.

It was not given to all her children to have the opportunity to constantly minister to her as they had their part to play in their own life and families.

It was well that we should pause in our daily life to examine the purpose of such life as that of Kate Regan. She silently exerted a grand sentiment among her friends and neighbors and brought to the attention of those with whom she came in contact the ephemeral character of material character advancement and worldly pleasure. That there should be a Divine Providence and that there should be a union with the Creator where all should be joyous and happy; is the only conclusion that can be reached.

In the words of the Poet Byron let us close:

But wherefore weep? Her match-
less spirit soars
Beyond where splendid shines the
orb of day;
And weeping angels lead her to
those bowers
Where endless pleasures virtue's
deeds repay.
And shall presumptuous mortals
Heaven arraign,
And madly, Godlike Providence
accuse?
Ah, no, far fly from me attempts
so vain:
I'll ne'er submission to my God
refuse.

- Contributed.