Irene M. Washa

Irene M. Washa, age 89 of Montgomery, died Monday, June 6, 2016 at Mala Strana Health Care Center in New Prague. On Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery the CCW will lead the rosary at 8:45 a.m. The visitation will follow from 9-11 a.m. The mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Father Victor Valencia, will begin at 11:00 a.m. Internment following the ceremony of life will take place at St. John Catholic Cemetery.

Irene was born on September 16, 1926 in Derrynane Township to Thomas and Mary (Sullivan) Brown. Irene attended country school, graduated from Le Center High School and completed two years of teacher training. She taught in a one-room country school until she was united in marriage to Frank (Bingo) Washa at St. Thomas Catholic Church in St. Thomas on June 5, 1948. Irene then moved to Montgomery and worked at Washa's Store.

Irene was involved in various community and church related activities throughout her life. She was a CCD teacher, a troop leader for both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; an active member of the CCW, VFW, and American Legion Auxiliary; where she held several leadership positions, and won awards for her years of service and dedication, as well as for her special projects. Irene loved shopping, getting together with family and friends, playing bridge, bowling, participating in Red Hat activities, doing crafts, sewing and making quilts and ditty bags for the Veterans. She also loved gardening, especially her flowers.

Irene is survived by her children, Pat (Washa) Merritt of Grand Forks, ND, and Dale (Nanette) Washa of Montgomery; grandchildren Nicole (Scott) McLaren, Chad (Vicky) Washa, Jill (Brad) Skogerboe, Thomas Washa and Ann (Emmett) Swartout; great-grandchildren: Luke, Jacob and Noah Washa, Trevor, Jay and Regan Skogerboe, Soren Swartout, and Jacob Jerry (JJ) McLaren; and one brother Kenneth Brown of Missouri.

Irene is preceded in death by her husband, Frank (Bingo) Washa; parents, siblings: Dennis Brown, Gerald Brown Vince Brown, Harold Brown, Leo Brown, Dorothy Dillon, and Robert Brown.

Arrangements are with the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery, MN. 507-364-7929. www.schoenbauerfuneralhome.com