Irene Sjodin, 92, of Rapid City, SD and formerly of Redfield, SD, died Thursday, June 17, 2010 at Prairie Golden Living Center in Rapid City. Irene is having a service in Rapid City on Saturday evening and a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Father William Osborn will celebrate the mass. Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Redfield. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Irene Mary (Helstrom) Sjodin, 92, Redfield, SD died peacefully Thursday, June 17, 2010 at Golden Living Center - Prairie Hills, Rapid City with family members at her side.

Irene was born February 9, 1918 to Alfred Carl and Theresa Catherine Helstrom in Aberdeen, SD. She graduated from Redfield High School in 1935. She moved to Minneapolis, MN with her cousin Monica Albrecht where she met Raymond A. Sjodin at a dance and they married on January 29, 1940.

She worked as a waitress in Minneapolis and was an entrepreneur in her own way with being co-owner of the Snack Shop CafAC. in Redfield. She owned and managed Irene's Hobbies and Redfield Sewing Center on Main Street. In earlier years she baked goods for the Redfield School System and was an Avon representative. Also, while her kids grew up in Redfield she was active in Cub Scouts as a den mother.

Irene enjoyed sewing, crafts and was an avid collector of historical events such as births, deaths and marriages in the Redfield area. She loved gardening and flowers. Irene was a member of Al-Anon for 25 years and an active member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church up until she moved to Rapid City in January 2008.

Survivors include her two sons, Gordon (Marie) Sjodin, Tulsa, OK, Ron (Vivian) Sjodin, Rapid City; eight grandchildren: John, Jill, Mike, Sheila, Tina, Lisa, Bob and Brenda; 16 great grandchildren; and three great great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Sjodin; daughter, Joanne Gorsett; her parents; her maternal grandparents, Frank Albrecht and Mary Josephine Heppler, both born in Christianberg, Austria; and two brothers, Charles and Carl.

A memorial has been established to Alzheimer Association.

Visitation will be on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City from 5:00 pm until service time. Funeral service will begin at 6:00 pm at Kirk Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Martin officiating.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 1:00 pm CDT at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield, SD with Father William Osborn officiating. Visitation will be from noon until service time. Burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Redfield.

Arrangements are with Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City and Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield.