Irene Gerda Schmitt

Irene Schmitt age 77, of Sleepy Eye, MN, died on April 26, 2020, at Sleepy Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye. Irene Gerda (Mauer) Schmitt was born on July 11, 1942 in Germany to Julian and Else Mauer. Irene attended nursing school in Germany and received the degree of "Doctor's Assistant" on March 1, 1961. Nursing was a true calling for Irene. Irene was employed by the Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital for over 30 years, during which she was awarded "Employee of the Year" in 2001. Irene met her husband, Gerald D Schmitt, Sr in Mannheim, Germany while he was stationed there in the US Army. They were wed on January 29, 1965 and to this union 2 children were born, Gerald Jr, and Christine. Family and faith were central to Irene's life. Irene enjoyed knitting, crocheting, quilting, reading, flowers and attending the many activities of her grandchildren. She was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she also served on the WELCA Board and was an active member of the church quilting group and other church activities. Irene was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary. Being involved in the "Social Committee" for the Sleepy Eye Hospital, she made and donated an afghan for their raffle fundraiser every year. Irene died at The Sleepy Eye Care Center on April 26, 2020. She is survived by son Gerald, Jr. (Doreen) Schmitt of Searles, MN, daughter Christine (Peter) Hawkinson of Sioux City, IA, grandchildren Joshua (Mindy) Hawkinson, Sioux City, IA, Elyse (Trey) Sweeney, Omaha, NE, Leah Schmitt and Laura Schmitt of Searles, MN, sisters Renate (Dieter) Prigger, Lubeck Germany, Gisela Fischer, Heilbronn, Germany, and many nieces and nephews throughout The United States and Germany. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Sr, her parents Julian and Else, brothers Horst, Herbert and Ulrich of Germany, sister in laws and brother in laws, Gladys and Leo Haala, Mary and Donald Walters, and Wallace and Pauline Schmitt, and niece Lori Gordon. Visitation 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday, September 5, 2020 Trinity Lutheran Church - Sleepy Eye 217 Brackenridge Street SW Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085