Irene Agnes Amundson
( April 10, 1941 - December 18, 2016 )
Irene Agnes (Gruenwald) Amundson, 75, of Redfield, SD, passed away at her home on Sunday, December 18, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, December 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield. Reverend Gregory Frankman will officiate. Following a time of fellowship and lunch, burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Zell, SD.
Visitation will be Thursday, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with family present, at Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. A Scriptural Rosary will begin at 5:00 p.m. Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. (www.thelen-hykefuneralhome.com)
Irene Agnes Gruenwald was born April 10, 1941 in Redfield to Jerome and Carolyn (Moeller) Gruenwald. She was raised and educated through the eighth grade in Zell, SD. She attended one year of high school in Redfield and graduated from Mount Marty in Yankton, SD. After graduation, Irene worked at the hospital in Redfield as a nurse’s aide for a couple of years while helping on the family farm west of Redfield.
Irene met the love of her life, Roald Amundson in Frankfort, SD where he was working. They were married on October 7, 1961 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Zell and then moved to Benson, MN. Irene stayed with her parents once Rollie entered the Air Force and then joined him in Arizona where he was stationed. They spent ten years in Arizona and during this time, they completed their family with the adoption of Tim and then Julie.
In 1976, the family returned to South Dakota when they had the opportunity to purchase a farm west of Redfield. At this time, Irene began her career at the South Dakota Developmental Center and she truly enjoyed her 26 years there before retiring in 2002. She cared about her clients and those she worked with. Rollie credits her hard work at SDDC for helping them through the tough years on the farm.
Irene enjoyed baking, sewing, macramé, gardening, flowers and fishing. In fact, she was known to “out-fish” Rollie on more than one occasion. She loved babies and never hesitated to hold one when given the chance. Irene was a member of the Catholic Daughters, Altar Society and taught CCD in the past. She was a remarkable person; caring and loving with such a gentle soul. “One of God’s angels walking on earth.”
Irene is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Roald; her children: Tim (Daun Maher) Amundson of Lincoln, NE and Julie Amundson of Watertown, SD; her grandchildren: Mason (Tanya), Myndie, Lena, Samantha, Oliver, Wyatt, Edward, Talon, David, Josh, and Martha, all of Lincoln, NE and her great-grandchildren: Janessa and Sofia, both of Lincoln, NE. Also surviving Irene are her siblings: Norita Rice of Frankfort; Wilfred (Patty) Gruenwald of Clark, SD; Jean Wollman of Arvada, CO; Karen (Denis) Lau of Weston, MO; Francis (Janet) Gruenwald of Zell; Jan (Bill) Winegar of Rapid City, SD; Joe Gruenwald of Warner, SD; Betty Moore of Redfield; Rich (Bette) Gruenwald of Redfield; Mary (Pete) Wurtz of Jacksonville, FL; Jerry (Jacque) Gruenwald of Redfield; and Douglas Gruenwald of Wyoming. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Judith Niklason of Sioux Falls, SD; Karen Evensen of Farmington, MN and Cheryle Kriese of Brookings, SD and her brothers-in-law: George Owen of Chicago, IL; Arlen (Joan) Amundson of Loveland, CO and Frank Amundson of Huron, SD and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Michael; her sister, Margaret; her mother-in-law, Carrie Amundson; her sisters-in-law: Paulette Owen and Dorothy Amundson and her brothers-in-law: Dick Rice, John Owen, Jerry Wollman, Chuck Evenson, Gene Amundson, Winston Amundson and Gene Kriese.