Irene Notch

Irene E. Notch, age 81 of St. Francis, died peacefully on Sunday, September, 13, 2015 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 17 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis with Rev. John Odero officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman and Rev. Mitchell Bechtold concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church in St. Francis. Parish prayers will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Christian Mothers, Catholic United Financial, and the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Irene Edith Krupa was born February 9, 1934 in Elmdale Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to Stanley and Mary (Wagner) Krupa. She worked for the Upsala Co-op as a bookkeeper after graduating from Upsala High School. On October 26, 1968 she was united in marriage to Denis Notch at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis. Irene then helped Denis on the farm with the farm work and chores.

Irene was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis and sang in the church choir for over 60 years. She was a member of the Christian Mothers, Catholic United Financial, and the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary. Irene enjoyed baking and decorating wedding cakes, playing the piano and organ, and gardening. They won many awards for roses out of their rose garden. Whatever Irene did, she excelled at. She was cherished by all of her nieces and nephews. Irene was a very special lady who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her husband, Denis Notch of St. Francis; brother, Firman (Maggie) Krupa of Cold Spring; brother-in-law, Allen (Myrna) Notch of Freeport; sisters-in-law, Donna Mae (Arnold) Scholz of St. Francis, Eileen (Don) Stiller of Rochester, and Agnes Notch of Sartell; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Herbert Krupa and Lester Krupa; sisters, Lillian Hoppe and Dorine Hoppe; and brother-in-law, Roger Notch.

Casket bearers will be Glen Hoppe, Dan Hoppe, Joyce Quade, Barbie Kantor, Steve Scholz, Neil Stiller, Joseph Notch, and Connie Stiller. Cross bearer will be Sue Tembrock and scripture bearer will be David Scholz. Honorary bearers will be the Christian Mothers. Readers will be Julie Nielsen and JoAnn Mo and gift bearers will be Kaitlyn Nielsen and Laura Trettel.