Esther Regina Wallin, daughter of Victor and Esther (Swanson) Nelson was born on June 25, 1923 in Page County, Iowa. She passed away on July 11, 2014 at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell, IA at the age of 91. Regina attended school in Page County country schools and graduated from Essex High School in 1941. Upon graduation, she attended Red Oak Junior College and Clarinda Junior College and graduated with a teaching certificate. She taught in several country schools throughout Page County, IA for eight years.

On June 4, 1944, Regina was united in marriage to Duane Wallin at Bethesda Lutheran Church. To this union, three daughters were born: Carol, Nancy and Jeanine. Farming until 1955, the family then moved to Essex, IA and raised their children. Regina was a substitute teacher in the Essex Public Schools, where she later assumed responsibility for cooking and managing the school hot lunch program. She and Duane both retired from the Essex school system in 1990 and she continued to live in Essex, spending winters with their daughter, Nancy, in Euless, Texas until 2013.

Regina was a longtime member and faithful participant in many church activities at St. John's including: Sunday School teacher, Lutheran Church Women, Ruth Circle, and the Quilters. She enjoyed the fellowship and sharing of her faith through weekly Bible studies. She was a charter member of the Study and Service Club in Essex where she continued as an active honorary member until her death. Regina was an enthusiastic, loyal supporter of Essex Trojan sports and school activities as demonstrated by proudly wearing her red school jacket and displaying her Trojan yard sign. She was an avid reader and collected all types of decorative frogs.

Regina was preceded in death by her husband, Duane, brother, Lysle Nelson, sisters-in-law, Betty Nelson and Gladys Nelson and her parents.

Regina is survived by her children: Carol (Tom) Sandholm of Grinnell, IA, Nancy (Gerald) Brazell of Euless, TX and Jeanine (Todd) Schademann of Council Bluffs, IA; Six grandchildren: Gerald Brazell, Jr., Amber Brazell, Heather (Darren) Kleis, Heidi (Jeff) Knobloch, Bryan (Ellen) Sandholm, and Will Schademann; Thirteen great grandchildren: Gerald Brazell III, Averey Knobloch, Corbin Kleis, Elsa Knobloch, Bergin Kleis, Adam Brazell, Anna Coates, Audrey Sandholm, Lauren Sandholm, Candace Brazell, Meryl
Sandholm, August Knobloch, and Eva Sandholm; one brother, Darrell (Jule) Nelson of Pueblo, CO; and nephews, Dennis, Tim and Dan Nelson and other relatives and many friends.

The family of Regina Wallin wishes to express their gratitude for the acts of kindness shown to them in their time of sorrow. They invite you to share in a luncheon served at St. John's Lutheran Church following the services at the cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church, Essex,
IA or St. Francis Manor in Grinnell, IA.