February 2013
Gerine Reagen, F101008, who served as national vice president, Northwest Area, from 1997 to 2001, passed away on November 25, 2012, in Woodburn, Oregon. She was 76.
Gerine was born February 8, 1936, in Augusta, Maine. She trained as a nurse and practiced that profession for 10 years. While living in Hawaii in 1969, Gerine met Marvin Reagen, and the two were married in 1973 in Tum Tum, Washington, where they raised their children in a house they had built.
“We were like the Brady Bunch but lived out in the country and enjoyed the freedom from the city,” said Gerine’s daughter Theresa Nintzel. “Mom loved sitting on the deck and taking in the beautiful view of Long Lake.”
When the couple retired in 1988, they moved to Woodburn, Oregon, where Gerine served on the board of directors for Senior Estates Golf & Country Club. She also was editor of the club’s bimonthly newsletter and president of the Women’s Golf Club. During this time, the Reagens had several friends who were members of FMCA, and the couple decided that the motorhome lifestyle appealed to them. So, they joined FMCA that same year and became involved in numerous chapters, including W.I.M.B.C.O.A. Travelers; Frustrated Maestros Northwest Musical Misfits; Big Sky FMCA; Safari International; Northwestern; FMCA Chapter: Habitat For Humanity®; and Northwestern Bus Nuts.
Gerine served as W.I.M.B.C.O.A. Travelers vice president for four years and was elected chapter president in 1996. She was the commercial exhibitor chairperson for the Northwest Area Rally in 1995 and served as cochair in 1996. The Reagans were seminar volunteer captions at FMCA’s 1994 summer international convention in Puyallup, Washington. Gerine was elected national vice president, Northwest Area, in 1997 and served on the Membership/Member Services Committee (1997-2001) and Convention Committee (2000-2001) during her time in office. She also was on the Long Range and Development Committee and Magazine Panel (2002-2003), the Convention & Rally Subcommittee (2003-2005), and the Nominating Committee (2005-2006).
According to Theresa, there were several reasons Gerine was drawn to FMCA and the motorhoming lifestyle. “She had many friends who were involved with FMCA. The idea of having a home on wheels and being able to move it — if it got cold, they would head south; if it was too warm, they would head north. She always had her ‘babies’ along — two miniature dachshunds, Marcus and Micah — and that would keep her busy. But the best part for her was attending the rallies, mostly the international conventions.”
Marvin passed away in October 2008, but Gerine still had the itch to travel and wanted to attend the next Northwest Area Rally in Albany, Oregon, so Theresa accompanied her. During that trip, she discovered why Gerine enjoyed getting together with her FMCA friends so much. “I didn’t know just what to expect,” Theresa said. “I was very surprised by how much everyone was one big family. It was great to see people visiting and giving her hugs, like a long-lost family member coming home. How beautiful the life seemed for everyone and how much fun they were all having. I could tell that my mother hated to say good-bye to all her friends she had come to know. If there was a way, I know she would have tried to continue motorhoming.”
Gerine is survived by her children, Theresa Nintzel (Christopher), James Johnson (Rachel), Doreen Torgerson (Jeff), Murray Reagen (Cindy); brothers Emile and Ken; sister Nancy; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.