Irene M Wedel
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Irene Martha Wedel, age 99, of Aitkin passed away Monday, October 24, 2022 at Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin. She was born June 8, 1923, in Tamarack to Charles and Louise (Bornfleth) Engle. She was baptized in 1923 in McGregor at the Evangelical Lutheran Church and was Confirmed in June of 1939 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod in McGregor. Irene attended Tamarack Grade School and High School in McGregor. Her parents and family moved to McGregor where they operated the "Welcome In Caf?". They later sold the caf? and left for California to visit relatives. The family later moved to Aitkin where they owned and operated a resort on Cedar Lake. Irene later met John Wedel and they were married on June 21, 1941 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Aitkin. For a short time they lived in Spokane, Washington, and later returned to Aitkin where John was in the construction business and they also raised turkeys, and later, beef cattle. They lived most of their married life in the Cedarbrook area where they raised their three children. In 1993 they built a home and lived on Cedar Lake. After retirement they enjoyed travelling throughout the United States including California, Branson, Florida, Alaska (above the Arctic Circle) and Hawaii. They also went to Europe where they travelled throughout Germany and England. John passed away in 2002 and Irene continued living at their Cedar Lake home until 2019 when she moved to Aicota Assisted Living where she lived until her passing. Irene was active in community affairs and volunteering for many charity drives including the Red Cross, Cancer Society, Blood Mobile, the Aitkin Community Hospital Auxillary, and many other benevolent causes. She served as a Trustee and Member of the Aitkin Community Hospital Board and spent many years as an Aitkin County Election Judge. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Cedarbrook where she was active with the Ladies Lutheran Church Group. Irene served as organist of the church for 37 years. In 2013 Irene joined St. John's Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Aitkin. Irene loved her family and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John C. Wedel, infant grandson Darren Spencer, brother Delbert Engle, sisters Elva Schmitt and Francis Emch.
Left to mourn are her children; J. Mark Wedel of Aitkin, Darla (Jim) Spencer of Cambridge and Shelby (Tom) Kuntz of Owatonna. Grandchildren Kimberly, Jenna, Matthew, Luke, Katie and John. Great grandchildren Daniel, Robert, J.T, Conner, Lucas, Darren, Kahler, Maddie, Matthew, Mac and Maggie. Nieces, nephews and many friends.
Services will be 11:00am - Saturday, November 5th, 2022 at St. John's Lutheran Church LCMS, 324 3rd St. NW - Aitkin, MN. 56431. Pastor David Becker will be the officiant. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Immediately following the service at the church burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery - Cedarbrook. Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin. Go to www.srtfuneral.com to leave a message of condolence