Regina M. Shindelar

Regina Shindelar, of Decorah, IA and formerly of Spillville, IA, died on Monday, April 21, 2014 surrounded by family at Wellington Place in Decorah. She reached the age of 90 years, 8 months & 21 days.Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 25, 2014, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Thursday, April 24 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah. There will be a rosary at 5:30 P.M. Thursday. Visitation continues on Friday after 10:00 A.M. at the church.Regina Marie (Phillips) Shindelar was born on July 31, 1923 on the family farm in rural Conover, Iowa to Frank and Anna (Soukup) Phillips. She was the second youngest of seven children. Regina received her education at the Conover one-room school house. Prior to getting married, Regina was a clerk at Haug’s Hardware Store, worked as a housekeeper and child caretaker. She married August M. Shindelar on June 29, 1949 in Spillville, Iowa. Together they had eight children, and later divorced. Regina wrote news for the Decorah, Calmar & Cresco newspapers for several years. She was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Czech Choir and the Ladies Guild. When the Parish held fundraisers, Regina sold numerous tickets to raise money for the parish. She joined the St. Benedict’s Women’s Circle after moving to Decorah. Regina loved flowers, planting large produce gardens, canning, sewing, baking, and listening to music, especially polkas. She had a green thumb and was able to make anything grow. Regina loved all of her family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and also visiting with friends. She worked hard for her family, and had a gracious smile that warmed your heart.Regina is survived by eight children: Rose Conley of Cedar Rapids, IA, Kathy (John Ernsdorf) Jones of Arleta, CA, Helen (Tom Holthaus) Douglass of Decorah, IA, Mary Ohloff of Postville, IA, August (Denise) Shindelar of Chester, IA, Arnie Shindelar of Decorah, IA, Veronica (Joe) Iverson of West Salem, WI, and Gene (Missy) Shindelar of Waucoma, IA; thirty four grandchildren; forty nine great-grandchildren; one brother: Richard (Vivian) Phillips; and many nieces and nephews. Regina was preceded in death by her parents: Frank and Anna Phillips; three brothers: George (Mary) Phillips, Rudy (Aileen) Phillips and Paul Phillips; two sisters: Marie Phillips and Emma (Louis) Ryant; one grandchild: Holly McElree; two sons-in-law: Michael Douglass and Michael Conley.