Irene Wengelin

Funeral services will be held August 10, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Herman with Reverend Carl Berner officiating.

Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery, rural Herman. Pallbearers will be Jason Caauwe, Ryan Becken, Andrew Becken, Matthew Ottoson, Ryan Anderson, Nathan Olson, James Bergman and Jon Hallman. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kari Becken, Dawn Bacon, Erin Hallman, Amanda Dwinell, Jessica Olson, Shannon Bacon and Nicole Ottoson.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening, August 9th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bainbridge Funeral Home in Herman. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Irene Maie Wengelin, daughter of John and Alvina (Volker) DeVries was born on March 17, 1928 in Grant County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church where she was a lifelong member. Irene grew up and attended elementary school in Grant County and graduated from Herman High School in 1946. After high school she moved to Minneapolis to attend the Minnesota School of Business for secretarial training.

On October 10, 1949 Irene was united in marriage to Marvin Wengelin. The couple made their home west of Herman where they farmed and raised their daughters. In 1990 they moved into Herman to care for Marvin's parents. In addition to farming, Irene also worked at the Villa of St. Francis from 1976 to 1982.

Marvin died in 2002 and in 2009 Irene moved to the Pullman House Apartments where she greatly enjoyed socializing and doing activities with friends. In 2015 due to failing health, Irene moved to West Wind Village in Morris. Visiting with family, playing with her great grandchildren and attending their activities brought Irene great joy. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, baking and card playing.

Irene is lovingly survived by four daughters: Jean (Pete) Becken of Duluth, Minnesota; Sharon (Charlie) Bacon of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; Linda (Gene) Caauwe of Herman; and Marlene (Randy) Ottoson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; one sister-in-law Mary Shear of California; and many nieces and nephews.

Irene is preceded in death by her husband; parents; parents-in-law Gus and Lillie Wengelin; brothers: Harold DeVries; and Earl (Margie) DeVries; sister Bernice (Chet) Schmidt; and brothers-in-law: Ray Shear; and Warren (Ethel) Shear.

Generations

Mother...Daughter...Granddaughter...

A tapestry of lifetimes

"One generation shall declare Your works to another..."

Bloodlines become history and history a legacy

"Strength and dignity are her clothing..."

An example for all to follow

"She opens her mouth in wisdom and her hands unto the poor..."

Amidst broken hearts and scraped up knees

there is hope restored and bandaged dreams

Smiles, laughter, tears and sorrow---teachable moments

wisdom imparted and compassion shown

"Her children rise up and call her blessed"

Both those who came before and those who will come after

Bound by, and tied together, for eternity

...Mother...Daughter...Granddaughter...Generations...

By Kari Lynn Becken

December 9, 2006