Irene Mathilda (Scholbrock) Swenka

Irene Mathilda (Scholbrock) Swenka. 89 of Greeley died May 26, 2016, at Strawberry Point Lutheran Nursing Home.

Irene was born May 3, 1927 in Calmar Township, near Calmar, Iowa, the daughter of Herman and Regina (Thuente) Scholbrock.  The family farmed near Wadena, Iowa.  She graduated from Fayette High School in 1946.  On October 20, 1947, she married Theadale (Ted) P. Swenka at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wadena.  Ted preceded Irene in death on April 13, 2008.  They farmed near Randalia until moving to a farm near Greeley in 1957 where she lived out her life.  Irene enjoyed gardening, making bread, sewing, rug weaving, family gatherings, and being a Grandma/Great Grandma.  

Irene’s family includes son Paul (Jane) Swenka of Greeley; daughters Patricia Swenka of Dundee, Ruth (Bob) Ham of Jacksonville, FL, and Alice (John) Vontalge of Epworth;  grandchildren Robert (Elisia) Swenka of Manchester, Kathy (Jason) Smith of Holy Cross, Mike Beswick of Lacey, WA, Tanner and Jordan Vontalge of Epworth; four great grandsons and one great granddaughter; sister Rita Manderfield of West Union; sisters-in-law Mary Scholbrock of Rice Lake, WI, Angeline Russell and Jeanne Swenka both of Iowa City.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ted; grandson, Timothy Swenka; a son-in-law, Illes Bognar; and brothers, Herbert and Walter.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home.  Irene’s family would like to thank all the staff at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home and St. Croix Hospice for her care.    

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