Irene Schantz

Irene Schantz, 74, Glen Ullin, died Monday, Sept. 25, 2006, at her home surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

A Mass of Christian burial is Friday, Sept. 29, 2006, at 10 a.m. CDT at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Glen Ullin, with the Rev. Sebastian Schmidt as celebrant.

Visitation is today after 4 p.m. at the church, with vigil services at 7 p.m. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Glen Ullin.

Irene was born Sept. 8, 1932, on the family farm near St. Anthony, N.D. She was raised on the farm and attended St. Anthony School. Irene worked as a waitress in a restaurant in Mandan.

She married Eugene Schantz, Sept. 28, 1953, at Mandan. Following marriage, they farmed near Lemmon until 1960, when they bought a farm near Glen Ullin.

Irene was a devoted mother to her 10 children and a second mother to the children she took in and provided day care for, as well as the foreign exchange students they took. When they were all grown, she worked outside the home at the Crossroads Express.

Irene had a passion for music. She played piano in an orchestra when she was a young girl and continued playing throughout her life.

She was a member of the Christian Mothers, a past member of the Sacred Heart Choir and enjoyed playing bingo, bridge, bonco and Scrabble and getting together with friends for coffee. In her spare time, Irene kept busy by crocheting, embroidery and preparing great meals. Irene was a woman of good humor, and her infectious laugh caused others laugh with her.

Those remaining to share the legacy of her love include her husband, Eugene, Glen Ullin; four daughters, Debra (Gerald) Sebastian, Hebron; Brenda Maloney, Coloma, Mich.; Pam (Russ) Walter, Keensburg, Colo.; and Donna Schantz, Medina, N.Y.; and her six sons, Roger (Sheila), Sheldon, Allen (Colleen) and Douglas (Kolina), all of Glen Ullin; Jerry (Brenda), Hebron, and Bill, Parker, Colo.

She also leaves her 15 grandchildren, Gwen and Garrett Sebastian, Kristy and Tyrell Maloney, Nicole Schantz, Brandon and Barry Schantz, Kari Billman, Sara and Riley Schantz, Dakota, Dusty, and Dallas Schantz, and Casey and Cody Schantz; and one special great-grandchild, Caden Schneider.

Irene also is survived by her brothers, Clarence and Kenny Bender, both of Billings, and Gerald Bender, New Ulm, Minn.; and her sisters, Stella Eisenbarth, Elgin, Evelyn Phellps, Bismarck, Dolores Scott, Forsyth, Mont., Phyllis Birkes, Tigard, Ore., and Annette Braun, Mandan, and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Leonard, Leo, Urban, and Vernon.

You can share memories of Irene and sign the online guestbook at www.spangelofuneralhome.com .

(Spangelo Funeral Home, Glen Ullin)