Irene Schoening

Irene Elizabeth Schoening, 94, a resident of Fergus Falls, passed away at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls on Saturday, March 7, 2009, surrounded by her family and Father Greg Paffel. Irene was born June 21, 1914, in Fort Francis, Canada, the daughter of Michael and Arminta (Duffy) McCambridge. She spent her early years in Riverton, Minnesota on the iron range. Irene moved to Fergus Falls in 1920 at the age of six years old with her mother and sister. When she was eight years old her mother married Carl Quamme, a good stepfather for many years. She attended school in Fergus Falls, graduating in 1933. After graduation, Irene worked at Montgomery Ward in Fergus Falls as an accounts payable person. Most of Irene’s adult life was spent as a homemaker. She met August “Gus” Schoening while ice skating on Lake Alice and they married in 1938 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Rectory in Fergus Falls. In 1948, Irene and Gus lost an infant son. They were blessed with their daughter, Kathleen in 1949. Irene enjoyed playing solitaire and took her card playing very seriously. Her life was filled with many dogs and cats that found a kind place to call home. Gus and Irene built a lake cabin on Lake Blanche in 1956 and they enjoyed many happy summers by the lake, with Irene floating in her inner tube by the dock, well into her 80’s. Irene was very proud of her Irish heritage and showed her Irish spunk without warning to the surprise and enjoyment of her family and friends. Irene lived with Kathy and Ted for over 17 years. She was there to see her granddaughters, Keely and Kristina, grow up, marry Todd and Jamie, and always looked forward to when they were all together. Irene was delighted when her first great-grandchild, Ruby Elizabeth, was born in November of 2008. Preceding her in death were her parents, Michael and Arminta; her stepfather, Carl Quamme; an  infant son; her husband, Gus in 1991; and her sister, Kathleen (Jackie) Ronning. Survivors include her daughter, Kathleen (Theodore) Kessel of Fergus Falls; two granddaughters: Keely (Todd) Bjerklie of Fergus Falls and their infant daughter, Ruby Elizabeth, and Kristina (Jamie) Miley of Richfield; a brother-in-law, Clifford Ronning of Fergus Falls; a nephew, Mark (Virginia) Ronning of Fergus Falls; a grand niece, Kirsten (Mark) Suda and children of Fargo; a grand nephew, Carl Ronning of Fergus Falls; special family friend, Lynn Oxley of Fergus Falls; and Max, the family dog. Visitation:  4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service:  11:30 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:   Father LeRoy Schik Interment: St. Otto’s Cemetery, Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com