RAPID CITY--Regina Rose Conrath, aged 100 years, 9 months and 23, days, passed away at Rapid City Regional Hospital Auxiliary Hospice House on Friday, October, 7, 2011. Regina Wagener was born on December 14, 1910, in Randolph, Kansas to Carl Francis and Esther Clarinda (Andersen) Wagener. The family moved from Kansas and homesteaded about twelve miles north of Isabel. When Regina was five years old, the family moved into Isabel, where Regina attended the Isabel Independent School. In 1928 she attended Notre Dame Junior College. She received a South Dakota State Certificate and taught two years in the Pioneer School, then a year in the Cloverleaf School near Dupree. On February 28, 1933 she married Russell Phillip Conrath. James Patrick was born August 13, 1934. In that drought stricken year, the family moved several times as Russell worked for the Works Progress Administration. In 1940 the family moved to Helena, Montana, and later to Spokane, Washington, where Russell entered the Air Force. He left for England five weeks later. Regina and James moved to Bozeman, Montana, where she worked in a Dry Cleaning Establishment. Six months later she relieved a Gardiner, Montana teacher of her 7th and 8th grade teaching position. Russell completed his tour of duty and the family lived in Helena, Montana. He died a little less than two years later in 1947. Regina and James returned to Isabel and she attended Summer School in Spearfish. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Education and in 1963 a Master's Degree in Education. She taught during the next thirty years in South Dakota, and also in Ruthton, Minnesota. Her last seventeen years were in the Douglas School System at E.A.F.B., South Dakota. She resided in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she moved in 1959. Her memberships include the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Life member of Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Life member of Gold Star Wives, Eight and Forty (subsidiary of the A.L. Auxiliary) and Minnelusa Historical Society. Regina was ever the teacher, and was always sharing her wisdom and giving advice right up to the end. She had a recent, short-term stay at Golden LivingCenter-Black Hills and at the age of 100 was resident of the month. the staff reported, she was a delight to be around. Regina always has a smile on her face and kind words to share with those around her. Regina's response to the secret of a long life? It all goes by so fast. Just keep breathing." Leaving to mourn her passing are her 6 nieces, Alexis, Penny, Karla, Mary, Ann and Kay; 7 nephews, Todd, Kurt, Gregg, Paul, Shawn, Walter and Alan and her adopted family, Sandy, Mackenzie and Marshall Staples. Preceding her in death were her parents Carl and Esther Wagener, her husband Russell Conrath, three brothers, Leander, Robert and Lawrence Wagener and her son James Conrath. Visitation will be from 2 until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, at the Immaculate Conception Church (5th and South Streets) with Rev. Ed Vanorny presiding. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice House or charity of the donors choice.