Irene Conrad

Irene Meta Anna Conrad, age 105, of Wilmot, SD, died on December 30, 2019, at Wilmot Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wilmot. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday. Rev. James Wilshusen will officiate, and burial will be at Wilmot City Cemetery at a later date.

Irene Meta Anna Conrad was born on June 19, 1914, in Stevens County near Chokio, MN. She was the daughter of Herman G. and Bertha (Schmidt) Asmus. She grew up in a family of four brothers and five sisters. She was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in 1926 in the Lutheran faith. Irene attended grammar school and graduated from high school in 1932.

On April 29, 1933, Irene was united in marriage with Maynard George Conrad of Clarissa, MN, in Chokio, MN. To this union, four children were born: Richard, Jerry, Donald, and Jill. Following their marriage, they moved to Morris, MN, and then to Portland, OR, where Maynard and Irene worked in the shipyards during World War II. After three years, they returned to Chokio, MN, and purchased and operated the Red Owl Grocery Store together. In 1948, they moved to Wilmot, SD, and purchased and operated the Red Owl Grocery Store. They also operated the coffee shop at K.D.’s and the theatre. Irene also worked in a restaurant and at Wilmot Creamery for a couple of years. She was the assistant administrator, bookkeeper, and then administrator at Wilmot Care Center for ten years.

Irene belonged to the Lutheran Church at Chokio, MN; Morris, MN; Portland, OR; Mesa, AZ, and currently at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wilmot, SD. She played the organ and sang in choir. She also served as Ladies Aide President and LWML Treasurer. She enjoyed Bible Study very much. She belonged to Senior Citizens, played in The Kitchen Band, and participated in Bridge Club. Irene enjoyed crocheting, quilting, sewing, crafting, reading, music, singing, and traveling. She loved her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great grandchild dearly.

Irene is survived by her children: Richard (Naomi) Conrad of Wilmot, SD; and Jill Harms of Wilmot, SD; daughter-in-law, Arla Conrad of Odin, MN; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers; five sisters; sons: Jerry and Donald; one daughter-in-law; one son-in-law; and one great-grandson.