Regina M. Fiala

Regina Marie Charlotte (Houdek) Fiala was born to Charles & Mary (Ruzicka) Houdek on May 15, 1925, in Dwight, Nebraska. Regina passed peacefully into eternal life on September 19, 2024 at Southlake, Texas at the age of 99 years, 4 months and 4 days. The second oldest of 11 children, from an early age, Regina was a nurturing sister to her siblings. Regina attended Dwight Assumption Catholic Church where she celebrated her Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. Regina graduated from Dwight Assumption High School at the age of 16 in May 1942. She went to boarding school and achieved her teaching certificate from Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, Ne-braska. To pay for her tuition and room and board, she worked at a coffee and ice cream shoppe. Regina taught for several years in Brainard, Valparaiso and Bee. She even taught some of her broth-ers and sisters. Regina met the love of her life, Leonard Fiala, at a July 4th dance in 1946, just after Len returned home from World War II. They married on June 19, 1947. Regina happily became a farm wife, raising chickens, milking cows and cultivating a bountiful gar-den. Always hardworking with a do what it takes attitude, later she drove tractors, trucks and helped with irrigating with tubes and pipes. They lived in David City, Polk, Central City and Geneva. To this union, came three children, six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Larry (Connie) Fiala of Strang, Nebraska; Jean (Dave) Huntington of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Deborah (Mike) Edgar of Arlington, Texas. Grandchildren; Lance (Dana) Fiala of Strang, Nebraska; Kevin (Brittany) Larson of Lincon, Nebraska; Laci (Aaron) Liebeck of Streetsboro, Ohio; Alicia (Aaron) Micek of Lincoln, Ne-braska and Cody (Jordan) Loyd of Grapevine, Texas; step granddaughter Molly (Will) Webb of An-chorage, Alaska. Great grandchildren, Reagan & fiancé Derrick Buescher, Taryn and Layton; Callie and Carter; Addison, Sutton and Collin; Hadley and Hudson; Emma and Cassidy. Clearly, Regina’s pride and joy, were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was their big-gest fan. Always present, intentional and understanding. For over 40 years, she made beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments each of them cherished. Regina loved, and was loved deeply by her family, extended family, church family and friends. She never met a stranger. She was always willing to teach anyone that asked, how to cook, bake, sew, crochet, always happy to share recipes (famous diner rolls and sugar cookies) or lend a helping hand. No matter what day or hour you arrived at Regina’s home, she always had dessert and put on a pot of coffee. She will always be remembered for her devout Catholic faith, her endearing nature, her joyful heart and a gifted green thumb. Regina embraced a very active life. Extension Club, 4-H Club leader, taught CCD Classes, altar society and one of her favorite past-times, a bowling league in Geneva for several years. She treas-ured birthday coffees with her friends. Regina worked in the cafeteria at Geneva Public Schools as a baker (those amazing made from scratch cinnamon rolls) until she retired after 12 years. After Leonard passed, Regina stayed in her home in Geneva. She enjoyed traveling for weddings to California and Ohio, visiting family in Alaska and wintering in Texas. During the pandemic, Regina sold her home in Geneva in May 2021 and made the decision to re-main in Texas, living with her daughter, Deb (Mike) Edgar. She remained active; reading, baking, gardening, playing cards, working on puzzles and sewing quilt tops for Catholic Social Services (which were sent back to St. Joseph’s in Geneva). She easily made new friends at church and was adored by her neighbors. Regina suffered a stroke on July 5th and after a short hospital stay, lived out the rest of her days at an assisted living facility in Southlake, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Fiala, son Larry Fiala, parents Charles & Mary (Ruzicka) Houdek and eight of her siblings and other family members. In addition to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, Regina is survived by her brothers Marvin & Ann Houdek of Mesquite, Texas and Tom & Ann Houdek of Bedford, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial for Regina was held on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Geneva. A Rosary was prayed at 1:30 p.m. prior to the Mass. Father Harlan Waskowiak presided over the services. Sandra Lefever was the organist and she accompanied Matt Pierce in “How Great Thou Art” as the processional song, and she also accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” and “Amazing Grace.” Laci Liebeck sang “Ave Maria” after communion. The recorded song “Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above” (Salve Regina) was played as the recessional hymn. Pallbearers included Lance Fiala, Kevin Larson, Cody Loyd, Aaron Micek, Mark Fiala, and Doug Fiala. A Graveside Service was held in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery following the Mass. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to www.komen.org or to a local Race for the Cure chapter.

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Regina M. Fiala

May 15, 1925 - September 19, 2024