Irene Eisele

Irene (Lingbeek) Eisele was born on July 26, 1935, to Claus and Ina (Dreyer) Lingbeek in McCook County, South Dakota, near Canistota.  The family moved to the St. Peter and Nicollet area where Irene grew up on the family farm and was involved in 4-H. After graduating from Nicollet High School in 1953, Irene attended Mankato Community College and worked as a legal secretary. She married Allie A. Eisele on February 11, 1956 in St. Peter, Minnesota.

They made their home in Mankato before moving to the farm near Reading in 1968 where they raised their family. Irene cared for the calves in the dairy operation and grew gardens of vegetables and flowers. Hogs, chickens, ducks and geese were also raised on the farm. As their children grew, they were involved in 4-H, and Irene served as the Adult Leader for the Rushmore Central Hustlers for 17 years. She was involved with the Summit Lake Golden Hour project group and a member of First Lutheran Church in Worthington. Following Allie’s death in 1996, Irene remained on the farm. She continued to garden and enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren's activities. She enjoyed traveling, taking many trips throughout the country to see the sights. She enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles and framed several of the finished projects. Baking bars, cookies, cakes and pies was always enjoyed by Irene, as she loved to supply the sweet treats all year-round. The family thoroughly appreciated it as well, especially during the holidays as each was given a take-home container to enjoy. Family time was valued, and Irene loved to be with them at every opportunity. 

An infection resulting in a fall led to a stay at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, before Irene moved to Our House - Hospice of Murray County in Slayton, MN, where she passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at the age 88.   

Those left to cherish her memory are son Cy (Rachel Rehm), Reading, and daughters Carol (Bill) Schreiber, Brewster; Carla (Jim) Goedtke, Slayton; and Carmen (Tom) Kamm, Rushmore; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Matt (Natasha) Schreiber, Brayden and Hannah, Brookings, SD; Cassie (Matt) Nelson, Brennon and Damion, Worthington; Amber Kamm, Monroe, SD; Austin (Karri) Kamm and Skyler VandeKieft, Rushmore; and Tanner Kamm and Paisley, Weston and Brecken, Larchwood, IA; Kaytlin Schmidt, San Antonio, TX; honorary grandchildren: Brian (Mikki) Loosbrock, Beau and Brody, Wilmont; Darin Loosbrock, Wyatt and Abby, Iona; and Alicia (Josh) Entinger, Kadence, Noelle and Sawyer, Wilmont; brother Robert (Joyce) Lingbeek, New Ulm; sister Darlene Oelhafen, West Bend, WI; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Preceding Irene in death were her husband, parents, sister Marilyn Wendland, daughter Cynthia Schmidt, great-granddaughter Kinley Schreiber, honorary daughter-in-law Karen Loosbrock and brother-in-law Tom Oelhafen.

Funeral services for Irene Eisele, 88, of Reading, MN will be 11:00 AM on Friday, August 25, 2023 at the First Lutheran Church in Worthington. MN. Visitation will be Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 5 to 7 PM at the Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be at the Adrian Cemetery in Adrian.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to 4-H, Our House Hospice, the Wilmont First Responders (who were there first, as always) and the Tracy Ambulance Service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Irene Eisele, please visit our floral store.