Irene Bernloehr

Irene Bernloehr age 95, of Saint James, MN died on January 7, 2015, at the Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James. Irene Bernloehr, age 95, passed away peacefully on Jan.7, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in St. James, MN. She was born on Nov. 18, 1919 in rural Brown County, MN. On March 1, 1941, she married Ernest Bernloehr at the First Lutheran Parsonage in St. James. Irene was a lifelong member of Albion Lutheran Church having been baptized, confirmed and married there. She was active in Ladies Aid, Sunday school and the Albion bazaar. She also participated in the Brown County Ladies Extension and was an active planner for the annual Godahl Day. Irene loved being a wife, mother and grandmother. In addition to baking and gardening, Irene enjoyed needlework, caring for her grandchildren and accompanying Ernie on his singing engagements. If she knew what kind of cake or cookie you liked, she would have it waiting for you. Irene and Ernie's farm served as a summer camp much enjoyed by their nieces and nephews. Above all, she was an excellent wife and mother. Late in life, Irene was to suffer the loss of both her sight and hearing but seldom complained. Her biggest regret was not to be able to see her great-grandsons. Irene is survived by her daughter, Barbara (James) Syverud of Neenah, WI; sons Bruce Bernloehr of Scottsdale, AZ; Bob (Connie) of Tarpon Springs, FL; grandchildren Jason Syverud of Slinger, WI; Tom (Christina) Syverud of Denver, CO; and Katie (Chris) Sullivan of Plymouth, MN; great-grandsons Colin and Dane Sullivan and Owen Syverud; sister Margaret Ryan of Mankato, MN and sister-in-law Sylvia Biever of Hopkins, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ernest and sisters Adeline Howard and Sylvia Tollefson. Irene's family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Nursing Home for the compassionate care and special kindnesses Irene received as a resident there. The family also wishes to thank Debbie Schmillen who as our guardian angel in St. James has contributed love and support to both Ernie and Irene over the years. She is the one who has sat at the bedside of both our parents and held their hands as they left their earthly home. We cannot begin to thank her for her extraordinary acts of Christian love. In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials directed to Albion Lutheran Church or The Society for the Blind. Service Information 11:00 am Saturday, May 16, 2015 Albion Lutheran Church, St. James 10454 250th Ave. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Albion Lutheran Cemetery-St. James 10454 250th Ave. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081