Ruth Evelyn Preheim of Freeman, SD, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
Some stories deserve to be told slowly. This is one of them.
What is given freely returns in ways we cannot measure.
Ruth Evelyn (Regier) Preheim, 92, passed away on April 28, 2026 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, SD. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, May 3rd at the Salem Mennonite Church of rural Freeman. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Saturday, May 2nd, at the Walter Funeral Home in Freeman. Burial will be at the Salem Mennonite Church Cemetery. Memorial monies will be donated to The Gideons.
Ruth was born on November 14, 1933 in her home near Madrid, Nebraska. She was welcomed by her parents, Peter A. and Marie Regier and siblings Pete, Herman, and Marian. Ivan joined the family 5 years later. Ruth grew up on a farm in western Nebraska. Memories of her childhood home life centered around developing a Christian faith by having family devotions and attending church and church activities. Ruth accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized on July 18, 1948.
Ruth was excited when she was old enough to sing in their small church choir. She had a desire to some day sing in a large choir. This became a reality years later when she was able to attend Freeman Academy her senior year of high school and Freeman Junior College her freshman year. Ruth eventually joined the Salem Mennonite Church and was able to sing in their church choirs as well as being the director of the Junior and Ladies Choirs for several years. She also enjoyed singing in Swiss Choral Society, several Schmeckfest productions, and the South Church Octet, which sang and ministered at the Sioux Falls Gospel Mission every other month for 10 years.
While attending school in Freeman, a friend set her up on a blind date with Curtis Preheim. She didn't take it too seriously as he was 9 1/2 years older than her. She even suggested they not see each other because of it. But, several years later, on November 26, 1954, they were married. They began married life in a 4 room house with no conveniences. Charlene and then Tyrone were welcomed into their family. Shortly before Arlan was born, they moved to a farm south of Freeman that had a larger house and indoor plumbing. Donna and Jane completed the family several years later.
Ruth was an amazing Mom! She raised 5 children while helping Dad on the farm. She taught us how to sew, garden, preserve food, bake bread, rolls, and all kinds of desserts, and cook delicious meals! She also taught us the love of music and was very patient with listening to us practice. She gave up so many things and opportunities for herself to pour into her family. She and Dad were faithful in family devotions, taking us to church and Bible Studies, and showing us what it means to have a relationship with Christ.
Ruth was also a wonderful grandmother, sharing her faith as well as her love of music with them. She also took time to teach many of them the art of baking, gardening and sewing.
In retirement, Ruth worked alongside our Dad baking and selling kuchen and poppy seed rolls. She was a selfless caregiver to him in his final years. She worked or volunteered on the church auxiliary, at the Et Cetera Shoppe and the nursing home.
She had a heart for befriending lonely people and serving others. Her kind heart and spirit were touched by many. To the end, she had such an amazing attitude and sense of humor that was contagious to those around her.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis; her parents, Peter A. and Marie Regier; siblings and their spouses, Karl Regier, Herman & Sarah Regier, Pete & Rachel Regier, Marian (& Harold Doerksen) & Dave Brundage, and Ivan & Ann Regier.
Ruth is survived by her 5 children; Charlene (Alan) Friesen of Sioux Falls, SD, Tyrone (Carolyn) Preheim of Freeman, SD, Arlan (Dori) Preheim of Lancaster, PA, Donna (John) Beier of Cherokee, IA, Jane (Michael) Mahoney of Menomonie, WI; 17 grandchildren, Justin (Kara) Friesen, Natalie (Troy) Buer, Emily (Mitchell) Cooper, Angela (Luke) Manson, Jake (Nikki) Friesen, Derrick (Jessica) Preheim, Jarrod (MeKayla) Preheim, Jeffrey Preheim, Jonathan (Mareyna) Preheim, Janell (fiancé Tyler Browning) Preheim, Bethany (Carlos) Soto, Kristen (Ross) Peterson, Melissa (Daniel) Patterson, Nichole (Joshua) Anderson, Seth (fiancé Lauren Seidl) Mahoney, Anna Mahoney, Luke Mahoney; and 38 great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Donna Preheim.
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Walter Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ruth Preheim.
