Willmar - Irene Rausch, 80, died Thursday, December 11 at her daughter's home in Willmar.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 16 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Willmar with Father Joe Steinbeisser as celebrant. Burial was in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Murdock. The Harvey Anderson Funeral Home of Willmar was in charge of the arrangements.
Irene Margaret Walsh was born on January 5, 1917 in Dublin township of Swift County, the daughter of Francis and Julia (Longman) Walsh. She graduated from Murdock High School.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1940 she was united in marriage to Arthur Diederich at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock. Following their marriage the couple farmed northeast of Murdock. Arthur died in 1963. She remained on the farm and worked at the nursing home in Benson and as a cook at the school.
On June 13, 1969 Irene married Raymond Rausch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and after their marriage moved to Thief River Falls. Raymond died in 1992, and she moved to Sunrise Village in Willmar.
Irene was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and upon moving to Thief River Falls, she was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church. She was active in Stephen's Ministry and Catholic Daughters in Thief River Falls. Irene was a member of the Church of St. Mary where she was a member of the Daughters of Isabella.
Irene was proud of having graduated from high school as to do so, she had to leave the farm to stay in town. She was a good storyteller and family caregiver. She enjoyed baking, playing cards and crocheting, making an afghan for each of her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by six daughters, Helen (Jerry) Behrends and Mary Kaye (Arlo) Gordon, both of Willmar, Donna (Lynn) Torgerson of Westminster, CO, Beverly Diederich (Ron Helget) of Litchfield, Louise Miller of Burnsville and Susan (Richard) Maynard of Rosemount; two sons, Tom (Mary) Diederich of Willmar and Dave (Karen) Diederich of Parker, CO; three step-children, Rob Rausch of Minneapolis, Joan (Terry) Lubitz and John Rausch, both of Thief River Falls; 28 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; five brothers, Joe (Erma) Walsh, Jim (Anne) Walsh, Bill (Pat) Walsh, Tom (Rose) Walsh and Larry Walsh; four sisters, Sister Dorothy Walsh, Sister Julitta Walsh, Gert (Jim) Rutledge and Evelyn Lever; and two sisters-in-law, Vi Walsh and Lou Walsh.
Besides her husbands, Arthur and Raymond, she was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Mary Helgeson; two brothers, Leo and Ed; and one grandson, Jeff.