Irene Blenker

Irene A. Blenker, age 84 of Albany, died Friday, January 21, 2011 at her home in Albany, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Seven Dolors gathering area in Albany. Parish prayers will be held at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Christian Mothers and St. Ann's Society at 5:30 p.m. and the Albany American Legion Auxiliary at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the gathering area.

Irene Alvina Kortenbusch was born March 3, 1926 in Melrose, Minnesota to Anton and Angeline (Spaeth) Kortenbusch. She was united in marriage to Andrew Blenker on October 3, 1950 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Irene lived on the family farm near Albany for the past 60 years and truly loved being a farmer's wife and partner.

She was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, St. Ann's Society, Christian Mothers, and the Albany American Legion Auxiliary Post 482. Irene enjoyed quilting, sewing, embroidery, and travelling.

Survivors include her husband, Andrew Blenker of Albany; children, Florian (Barbara) Blenker of Albany, Doris (Tim) Kahlhamer of Avon, and Diane (Joseph) Braun of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Adam (Rachel), Amy (Shahzad), Michelle (Jude), Maggie, Kyle, Vincent, and Amelia; six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Martha Ruehle of St. Cloud, Ermalinda "Erma" Bautch of St. Cloud, and Marcella "Pete" Hinnenkamp of Melrose.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Angeline Kortenbusch; brothers and sisters, Dorothy, Albert, Anthony, Philomena, Arnold, Adeline, and Leo.

Serving as casket bearers will be Adam Blenker, Amy Blenker, Michelle Henningsgaard, Maggie Blenker, Kyle Braun and Vincent Kahlhamer. Cross bearer will be Amelia Kahlhamer and scripture bearer will be Maria Blenker.