Irene Stark

Irene, daughter of Willhelm and Anna (Schmidt) Schwenn, was born March 4, 1928, on the family farm near Denison, Iowa. She grew up on the farm and attended school in Denison, graduating in 1946.

On January 15, 1947, Irene was united in marriage with Ewald Stark at the Zion Lutheran Parsonage in Denison, by the Rev. C.W. Schmidt. The couple was blessed with the birth of six children. Irene and Ewald were lifelong farmers. In 1950, they settled on Frank Dobler's farm near Westside. In 1969, they purchased this farm and made it their home until their final harvest in 1980. Irene was a devoted farm wife and worked alongside Ewald, driving tractor, tending to the garden and raising their kids. In 1981, Irene and Ewald moved into Westside.

Irene was a very active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia. Her passion was sewing, especially sewing quilts at church and teaching others how to quilt. Other interests include doing puzzles, coloring, and bird watching. Irene was simple, hardworking, friendly, outgoing and honest. She was devoted to her family, nurturing her children and caring for Ewald in his later years. When she spoke, you paid attention to her.

After Ewald passed away in 2010, Irene continued to reside in Westside until becoming a resident of Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison in 2019. On Saturday, August 27, 2022, Irene passed away at Gracewell Eventide in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 94 years, 5 months and 23 days.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ewald; a daughter Darlene; two sons: Donald as an infant and Larry "Sod" Stark; four siblings: Violet Petersen and Clarence, Alvin and Marvin Schwenn. She survived by three daughters: Marilyn Johnson of Knoxville, Tennessee; Diana Long and husband Doug of Cedar Rapids; and Bonnie Schmitz and husband Steve of Westside; ten grandchildren: Pamela Swanson, Alison Johnson, Thomas W. Johnson, Jessica (Matt) Cantrell, Andrea Long, Emily Long, Michael (Lisa) Long, Jeffrey Schmitz and friend Heather Rivera, Sarah (Tom) Hiler, Adam (Vanessa) Stark; 16 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at the Huebner Funeral Home in Westside with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia. Burial will be in the Westside Cemetery in Westside. Memorials may be directed to the family.