Note: Lisse Regehr is the CEO of Thrive Allen County.
It was a rare moment when Lisse Regehr’s extended family could get together.
Her father served in the military, and most of her childhood was spent moving from place to place.
On Christmas, they usually called family members back in Iola and celebrated by phone.
But in 1985, when she was just 5-years old, the entire family was able to gather in Iola for the best Christmas ever.
Her father, Walt, was stationed in South Korea at the time, so her mother, Mary Ann, and the three children Lisse, Sean and Katrina — all under the age of 5 — moved to Iola for a time.
Dad came home for Christmas, the first the family had seen him since he left the summer before.
“Until we moved back here my sophomore year of high school, it was the only Christmas I remember being able to spend with all of my family,” Lisse recalled.
Her mom’s side of the family usually celebrated Christmas Eve with a nice dinner, followed by opening presents. The Friskels lived above the old funeral home just off the north side of the square.
“Mom’s the oldest of six, so it was loud and joyful and wonderful, bringing the family together.”
The next morning, Lisse woke up for an intimate Christmas morning with her immediate family.
“It was so wonderful to be together.”
Walt is also the oldest of six, and as such Lisse’s family celebrated another “really big, loud, awesome” Christmas Day with his side at the family farm near Carlyle.
“The thing that strikes me is that it’s not the gifts I remember,” Lisse recalled. “It’s the joy of being around so many people who loved each other.”
Soon, the family would move again. Family members passed away. 
The immediate family continues to get together for the holidays. Lisse enjoys time with her nieces and nephews.
“I’m so lucky to have that one Christmas where we got all those experiences with both sides of the family. It was rare for us to get to be part of it. I will never forget the feelings of love and joy and warmth that comes with those memories.”
