Irene G. Schmidt, 94, of Rockham, SD died Friday, April 8, 2011 at Golden Living Center in Redfield. Her funeral will be Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church in Redfield. Reverend Peter M. Utecht will officiate. Burial will be in the Rockham Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 1-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. The casket will not be open at the church. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Irene Gladys Becker was born on a farm near Redfield, December 15, 1916, to John and Frieda (Hardie) Becker. After attending St. Lawrence High School, Irene earned a teaching degree from Northern State Teacher's College in Aberdeen, SD. Irene taught country schools in Park and Linn Townships before her marriage to Robert W. Schmidt on June 28, 1939. In 1942, Irene settled with Robert on the family farm south of Rockham where they farmed and raised two children. Robert and Irene resided on the farm until February 2011 when they entered Golden Living Center due to declining health.

Irene was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Redfield where she served many years as a member of the LWML.

Irene is survived by her husband, of 71 years, Robert of Redfield; her son Albert Schmidt of Rockham; her grandchildren: Robert (Amy) Turner of Redfield; and Dawn (Ted Heisinger) Turner of Madison, WI; and her great grandchild: Jadie Turner. She is also survived by her brother Lester (Verna) Becker of St. Lawrence, SD; her sister Elvina (Roger) Engle of New Hope, MN; sisters-in-law: Leona Becker, Lucy Becker, Emmaline Corkins and Arlene Demmers and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Janet Turner, her brothers: Milton, Marvin and Marlin Becker, her sister Lucillia Abby and her infant sister Evelyn Becker.