BREGENSER: Mathias "Math" Henry
March 23, 1918 - September 23, 2013
The death of Mr. Mathias "Math" Henry Bregenser of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake, SK, occurred at his residence on Monday, September 23, 2013. He was 95 years of age. Math was born to Peter and Margaret (nee Smith) Bregenser on March 23, 1918, at home on their farm in the Pilger district. He grew up there and attended Merrywood School. On October 10, 1944, Math married Johanna Wegleitner. They lived on the Bregenser homestead for a few years. In 1948, they moved to a new farm on the northwest corner of Meyers Lake, east of Pilger, where they raised their family and ran a mixed farming operation. It was said that you could hear Math singing from his old John Deere tractor from a long ways away. A very family-oriented man, he was involved in teaching his children and supporting them in their sports activities. Math enjoyed various sports himself, including ball, hockey, curling, and bowling. Square dancing was also a favorite pastime. In 1983, their son Lloyd took over the farm and Math and Johanna moved into the Harry Ford Centre in Humboldt. In earlier years, he served on the Merrywood School board and was also a member of the Pilger Knights of Columbus. Retirement years were spent camping and fishing at Meyers Lake. A highlight in his life was a trip he made to Luxembourg, Europe, to visit the place where his father grew up. Math was also a big storyteller and loved telling accounts about his life. He was also known as a gentle giant, who never wanted to make waves. On July 23, 2006, Johanna passed away. In 2011, Math moved into Bethany Pioneer Village, his home until the present. Math is survived by his four sons, eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren: JOHN (Angele) Bregenser of Pilger, SK and family, Paul Bregenser (Andrea Sejevick) and sons Kristopher and Vincent, James (Jamie) Bregenser and son Hayden, and Diane (Jeremy) Forster and son Korben; LEO (Betty) Bregenser of Buffalo Lake, AB and family, Alice (Fernando) Gaspar and daughter Bella, Jason (Brenda) Bregenser and children Andrew and Autum, Sharron (Jason) Abel and children Cody and Morgan, Sandra Schultz and daughter Brooke; LLOYD Bregenser of Pilger, SK and son Kyle (fiancée Camille); and KEN Bregenser (Miranda Ringma) of Edmonton, AB; sisters: Marie Pitzel of Saskatoon, SK, Josephine (Clarence) Brown of Saskatoon, SK, Dorothy (Joe) Wegleitner of Calgary, AB, Gertrude (Ed) Hauser of Middle Lake, SK; brothers-in-law: Murray Forster of Unity, SK, Syl Honish of Rorkton, MB, Ralph Hoffman of Exshaw, AB; and sister-in-law, Luella Bregenser of Pilger, SK. He was predeceased by his wife Johanna (nee Wegleitner) Bregenser; parents, Peter and Margaret (nee Smith) Bregenser; sister, Anna (Leo) Jaeb, Jennie Hoffman, Matilda (Clarence) Helton, MaryAnn Forster, and Christie Ann Honish; brother Bernard Bregenser; and brothers-in-law, Jerome Pitzel and Henry Dawm. The Prayer Service for Math was held at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt, SK, on Friday, September 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m., led by Nestor Trach and organist Darlene Cash. Scripture readers were Alice Gaspar and Kyle Bregenser, and the eulogy was delivered by Leo Bregenser. The Funeral Mass was held at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt, SK, on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Gregory Roth. Others taking part were: Fernando Gaspar, crossbearer; Alice Gaspar and Kyle Bregenser, scripture readers; Diane Forster, intentions; Kristopher and Vincent Bregenser, giftbearers; Adela Meyer, memorial table attendant. Music ministry was provided by director Loretta Schugmann, organist Marie Aubin, and the St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. An honor guard was formed by members of the Pilger Knights of Columbus. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Math's life". Active pallbearers were Paul Bregenser, Alice Gaspar, Kyle Bregenser, James Bregenser, Jason Bregenser and Jeremy Forster. Interment followed at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Cemetery, Humboldt, SK. Memorial donations may be directed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, St. Augustine Roman Catholic Parish Building Fund or to a charity of your choice. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
