Irene Rademacher

Irene E. Rademacher, age 92 of Melrose and formerly of Freeport, was called to Heaven on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 11 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Ken Thielman officiating and Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church in Freeport. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Irene Elizabeth Hoeschen was born April 28, 1923 in Freeport, Minnesota to Paul and Anna (Tomsche) Hoeschen. Shortly after her birth the family moved to a farm near Albany. She was raised there and graduated from Albany High School in 1941. After high school, Irene worked in the Twin Cities. She married Gothard Rademacher on September 12, 1944 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. They farmed on her ancestral farm until 1955 and then for one year near Rice. They returned to Freeport in 1956 and purchased the home they lived in for nearly 55 years.

While her children were growing up, Irene was a Cub Scout den leader and volunteered at the school and church. When her youngest was in high school, she waitressed for a short time at Charlie's Café. Then she took a job as a nursing assistant at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home and later as a physical therapy assistant at the Melrose Hospital. Irene was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport, Christian Mothers, Aquinas Book Club, Melrose Historical Society and the Goldenaires Senior Citizens.

Irene was the backbone of her family as her husband's job required him to be away a great deal. Irene was a kind, good-natured woman whose smile lit up a room, warmed your heart and lifted your spirits. She was very proud of her children and couldn't wait to welcome each grandchild and great-grandchild into her brood.

Survivors include her children, Chuck (Marilyn) Rademacher of Albany, Jim (Ann) Rademacher of Pittsford, Vermont, Jane (Jerry) Schulte of St. Cloud, Don (Patti) Rademacher of Wayzata, and Jack (Kim) Rademacher of Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin; 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren with one on the way; and sister, Bernice Atkinson of St. Cloud.

Irene was preceded in death by Gothard, her husband of 69 years; parents; and her siblings, Vernon "Sonny" Hoeschen, Rose Gysberg, and Verena Nathe.

Irene's children send a heartfelt "Thank You" to Dr. Heller and the staffs of the Melrose Hospital, Park View, Pine Villa, and Hospice for the loving care given to their mother.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jane Schulte, Don Rademacher, Chuck Rademacher, Jerry Schulte, Jim Rademacher, and Jack Rademacher. Cross bearer will be Erin Rademacher and scripture bearer will be Kathy Black. Readers will be Peter Rademacher and Diane Winter and serving as gift bearers will be Patrick Schulte, Hannah Rademacher, and Brian Rademacher.