Irene Schoon

Irene Alma Mathilda Koessel Schoon, was born into heaven to be with her Lord at the nursing home in Lemmon, SD on October 31, 2006. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Rev. Lester Wolfgram officiating. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Bismarck. Irene was born on March 8, 1914, the daughter of Martin and Matilda Gertz Koessel at Marion, ND. In 1916, the family moved to their new farm/ranch west of Driscoll, ND, and continued to be active in the community. She attended and graduated from the public school in Driscoll in 1930. Irene worked as clerk at the post office in town until her marriage to Wilhelm "Bill" Schoon on March 16, 1938. They farmed/ranched until 1948 at which time they moved to Bismarck, where she was the ideal home-maker, wife and mother. She also worked as clerk at the North Dakota Brucelousus Lab and later at the North Dakota State Highway Department for 15 years until her retirement in 1974. Irene's life was one of service to her church, family, and friends. Her true passion was to sing, and that she did; for many weddings, celebrations, funerals, both as a soloist and duets. Special groups for her to sing in were her church choir and the Bismarck English Singers. She really looked forward to Shepherd of Valley Church and Senior's Group, LWML, Burleigh County Senior Center RSVP, crocheting, reading, pinochle card playing, and family traveling. Irene is survived by her sister, Donna of Seattle, WA; three sons and daughters-in-law, Luther and Luana of Lemmon, SD, Vincent and Nancy of North Branch, MN, and Grant and Karen of Woodbridge, VA; seven grandchildren, Layne, Lance, Eric, Lealand, Jennifer, Joshua, and LaVon as well as seven great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Alice Koessel and Irma Koessel; and many beautiful nieces and nephews. Proceeding Irene in death were her parents, husband Bill, three brothers, one sister, three sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials be made to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND.

Irene Schoon

March 8, 1914 - October 31, 2006