Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Reta Laurene Rohr

Female 1915 - 2011  (96 years)


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  • Name Reta Laurene Rohr 
    Born 12 Jan 1915  Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Female 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82888192 
    Name Reta Laurene Bierman 
    Residence 1999  New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-136809 
    Died 30 Dec 2011  Freeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Buried Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I136809  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Father Reeve Samuel N. Rohr,   b. 9 Sep 1877, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Oct 1954, RR1, New Dundee, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years) 
    Mother Laura Ann Hallman,   b. 14 Aug 1873, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Feb 1960, RR1, New Dundee, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years) 
    Married 6 Nov 1901  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Family ID F20369  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Orland Frederick Conrad Bierman,   b. 12 May 1913, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Sep 1991, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Children 
     1. Bruce Frederick Bierman
     2. George Douglas "Douglas" Bierman
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F52305  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • BIERMAN, Reta Of New Dundee, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at Trinity Village Interim Care Centre - Freeport Site, on Friday, December 30, 2011 in her 97th year. Reta is survived by her two sons, Bruce Bierman and Cheryl Henhawk and Doug Bierman and Marilou Tamondong. She will remain in the hearts of her grandchildren Debbie Magnus and Chris Martin, Laurie and Duane Weber, Lynn Buckley, Brad and Lexie Bierman, Christa and Chris Strome, Jeff and Tanneke Bierman and Jennifer Tamondong as well as 14 great-grandchildren. Reta is also survived by her daughters-in-law Judy Bierman and Doreen Bierman and Winston Burrill, sister-in-law Mary Stevens as well as many nieces and nephews. Reta was born in Roseville, Ontario on January 12, 1915. Predeceased by her husband Orland in 1991. She is the last surviving member of her family, predeceased by her parents Samuel and Laura (nee: Hallman) Rohr, brothers Eldon, Leslie and Chester Rohr, and sisters, Iva, her twin sister Greta Stevens and Hilda McDonald. Relatives and friends are invited to share their memories of Reta with her family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home , 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1177 Queen Street, New Dundee on Thursday, January 5 at 11: 00 a.m. Interment will follow at Roseville Mennonite Cemetery. A reception will follow the interment at the church. Condolences for the family and donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario or St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy and may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445. "It is what it is" ~Reta

      _______________


      Solo enthusiasts bonded by friendship as much as game

      If you grew up in a card-playing family in Waterloo Region or had friends of German descent, you were likely introduced at an early age to that wonderful game of solo. It seems to be as indigenous to this area as pigtails and sauerkraut.

      Reta Rohr, 90, was born in Roseville. When she became engaged to Orland Bierman and was preparing to move to his farm in Erbsville, she was told by Irma Neeb that if she was going to live there she would have to learn to play solo.

      "I thought it was a hard game to learn, and I just hated her for saying that," Reta recalled.

      Orland's uncle taught her to play, and she found it wasn't so difficult.

      In fact, she enjoys the game so much now that every Monday she drives, literally through storm and sleet in the winter, from her home in New Dundee (where she also plays solo) to join her friends in the Belmont Seniors Solo Club at Victoria Hills Centre in Kitchener. Only once did she have to leave early to avoid getting snowed in.

      Like most of the club's 54 members, she enjoys the companionship as much as the game, especially since she retired. Reta sold the farm and went to work at Schneiders when her husband died. Three months after a mandatory retirement at 65, she was offered a job at the Hybrid Turkey Farm where she worked until she was 72. She became a charter member of the Belmont club when it was formed by Art Miehm in 1982.

      The club got its name because it originally met at Belmont Centre, which was run by the City of Kitchener, offering sports and other activities. When they had to vacate Belmont, which was later torn down, they moved to a small room at Victoria Hills Centre and, as its membership expanded, mostly through word of mouth, has moved into the gymnasium for their weekly meetings.

      As in most senior organizations, men are in the minority, but it is "a good mix," says president, Dove Dickison. Members range in age from mid-60s to 100. Most are from Kitchener and Waterloo, but some, like Reta, are from out of town and a carload of seniors from a retirement home in St. Jacobs attend regularly

      "It's a very congenial group," said Dove. "We even feel we know their families, whom we hear talked about and meet occasionally. They are like an extended family"

      Charter members include Elsie Hennig, 103, who is no longer able to attend, and Dot Snider, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday and still comes out regularly. They were schoolmates, although not in the same class, at King Edward School. Dot was born in a house at the corner of Victoria and King streets, which was moved to make room for the Kaufinan factory.

      There was special birthday party for Dot, but you have to be 100 to get this kind of attention. Ninety-year olds like Verna Robinson and Art Walton as well as Anne Scott who will celebrate her 90th in November are "too young to qualify for this special recognition, said Dove.

      The membership fees are only $2 a year and the players pay 50 cents at the weekly meetings. A $1 prize is awarded to each of the high score, high points and high solo winners, and the rest goes into the pot to provide coffee treats on special occasions and help offset their Christmas dinner, so there isn't much left for birthday parties.

      Dove moved to Waterloo from Meaford when her husband died. She has since remarried and was taught to play solo by her husband, Earl.

      She joined the club 12 years ago. Assisting her on the current executive are vice-president Beryl Nicholson, treasurer Gerry Gatschene, secretary Norma Hiuser, kitchen convener Connie Connor and her assistant, Bernice Self. They miss photographer Lloyd Schlosser, now deceased, who compiled a pictorial history of the club's activities.

      They have eight to 10 tables in play on average.

      "Most have to have a good reason like a special appointment not to attend. I don't think they are ever sick," said Dove. "But the membership is open. There is always room for additional members. Just come to Victoria Hills Recreation Centre any Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. and we will make you welcome."

      New members can play three times before being required to join the club.

      Jackie Hayes is a Kitchener writer who looks at personalities, events and seniors' issues each Wednesday. Contact her at jackieh@golden.net.

      The Record 14 Sep 2005, Wed Page 24

  • Sources 
    1. [S62] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries, Roseville - Roseville Mennonite [formerly Detweiler Mennonite] CC#4493 Internet Link.
      Bierman/ Orland F. C./ 1913-1991/ Reta (Rohr)/ 1915-2011/

    2. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      Samuel Rohr Born: Welmot Tp Age: 24 Born: abt 1877 Father: Samuel Rohr Mother: Elizabeth Nowman Spouse: Leana Hallman Age: 28 Born: abt 1873 born: North Dumfies Tp Father: Menno Hallman Mother: Annie Groff married 6 Nov 1901 married: Waterloo, North Dumfries

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 12 Jan 1915 - Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1999 - New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 30 Dec 2011 - Freeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth