Date of Birth:
Wednesday, September 7, 1927
Date of Death:
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Age:
97 years old

Regina M. Kildahl

Regina Margaret Kildahl, 97, of Rochester, died June 14^th, 2025, at Samaritan Bethany on 8^th, in Rochester where she had been receiving treatment by Mayo Hospice.

Regina was born on September 7, 1927, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester to Edward Joseph Lawler and Margaret Bridget Cleopha Carroll. She was the youngest and only girl in the family, and she always wanted a sister. Regina had two brothers, Edward Carroll Lawler (Eddie) and Francis Leo Lawler (Frannie).

Regina graduated from Lourdes Catholic High School in 1945 with the first graduating class, noted in the yearbook in several accomplishments and school groups.

Regina married Richard Harold Kildahl at St. John’s Catholic Church on November 6, 1947. They lived in several locales in and around Rochester, finally settling in their home in Golden Hill as some of the first residents there in 1952, where they lived until their individual deaths.

Regina lost 3 babies at birth, but raised 5 children, Dennis Richard, Mary Lou, Terry Lee, Steven Lawrence, and Mark Joseph. Regina was preceded in death by her husband Richard, two stillborn daughters, and a daughter Judy, who died at birth. Daughters Terry Lee and Mary Lou passed on early in their lives. Regina has 23 grandchildren and many, many great-grandchildren!

Regina first worked at The Kahler Hotel, running the elevators, aged 12. She then worked at Woolworth’s, and on to the Mayo Clinic, where she worked in Statistics. Later she became one of Mayo’s first certified tumor registrars. Her name is still on many files and studies at Mayo. Regina retired from Mayo and went on to work for Rainbow Foods with her best friend Julie Bainter. They went to work for Fleet Farm when Rainbow Foods closed. Regina worked for Fleet Farm until she was 84.

She enjoyed reading and loved to write poetry, and was very proud to have had some of her poems published. She was a founding member of Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester. Regina took her religion very seriously and when she was unable to attend in person, she would watch and join in with daily televised Mass.

The family would like to thank Mayo Hospice, and her nurse, Brianna, as well as the staff at Samaritan on 8^th, for their loving care and kindness, especially the nurses Darrin and Jennifer. Everyone there was so kind and thoughtful!! We also owe a debt of gratitude to Father Brian Klein, Father James Steffes, and former Deacon Rob Miller, who made many visits to Regina when she was homebound. Thank you all for your kindness and attention to her.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery.