Irene G. Thompson Schmitz, 89, of Belgrade died Wednesday, January 8, 2019 at GlenOaks Personal Care Suites in New London. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Grace Lutheran Church in Belgrade. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service. Burial will be at Grace Lutheran East Cemetery in Belgrade. Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Belgrade.
Irene Gladys Schmitz was born on March 27, 1930 in Sisseton, SD, the daughter of Bernard and Mildred Oswskey. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith in Sisseton SD in 1930 and confirmed at Solon Springs, WI in 1944. On September 22, 1948, she was united in marriage to Mitchell Thompson in Watertown, SD. They were blessed with four daughters and three sons. The family made their home in Estelline, SD, Minneapolis, and the Belgrade area. She worked in the restaurant business for many years and owned her own Café in Belgrade. She helped Mitch in the early years of Belgrade Steel Tank with deliveries. In retirement they enjoyed many fishing trips and their Big Stone Lake Cabin in Ortonville. Irene and Mitch were able to share in 51 years of marriage before his death in 2000. Irene married Mathias Schmitz on June 8, 2002. They enjoyed card parties and visiting with family and friends until his death in 2017.
She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and was active in ladies circle. She was an active member of the Belgrade VFW Auxiliary where she served as Poppy chairman for many years, treasurer, and played in the Auxiliary Kitchen Band. She enjoyed reading, card and letter writing, even up to this past Christmas.
Irene died on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the age of 89. She is survived by her children, Sandra (Don) Westaby, Linda (Greg) Mueller, Wally (Maureen) Thompson, Les (Brenda) Thompson, Peggy (Chris) Spanier, and Larry (Michele) Thompson; step-children, John (Debbie) Schmitz, Carl (Gail) Schmitz, Lisa Schmitz, Susan (Roger) Meyer, JoAnn (David) Meyer, and Kenny (Amanda) Schmitz, 41 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren; sister, Pauline Flones; brother, Jim (Joanne)Oswskey and sister-in-law, Lilia Oswskey. She was preceded in death by her husbands, infant daughter, parents, sisters, Lorraine Janowicz and Josie Lee; brothers, Palmer, Ted, and Ben Oswskey; grandson, Jonathan Thompson; step-son, Andrew Schmitz and step-daughter Margaret Schmitz.
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