Irene Kleinsasser, age 92, of Huron, died Friday, September 16, 2016, at her home. Her funeral service was held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, September 20th at Living Hope Alliance Church. Burial was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Irene Decker was born June 1, 1924, to John and Mary (Tschetter) Decker and grew up near Carpenter. She attended grade school at Bunker Hill, Yale High School and was a cheerleader. She taught school for several years.
On Friday, May 13, 1945, Irene married Ervin Kleinsasser, and had 69 great years with a wonderful man. They lived on a farm south of Cavour until purchasing their farm east of Huron. They lived there 50 years until their house burned. They then moved to Huron.
Irene loved to work on the farm side by side with Ervin and their children. Cooking for people was a very big part of her life. She could make a meal for 6 and then more would stop in and somehow she was able to feed 10 to 12 people, and all had plenty. Irene cooked at Custer School in rural Huron and for 14 years at Magness Sale Barn. She loved it and loved the many friends she made while there.
Irene was baptized and was an active member at the Huron Mission Church, later named Living Hope Alliance Church. She taught Sunday school, was a youth leader, Homebuilder member, a member of the Ladies Missionary Society, choir member and Bible school teacher. Irene and Ervin lived a life that was a great example for anyone especially their children. Their biggest desire was to be confident that their family will all someday meet again in Heaven.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister, Esther; one brother, Howard; and her husband of 69 years, Ervin.
Grateful for having shared in her life are her son, Jerry Kleinsasser of Huron, and the children Irene and Ervin lovingly took in, Dick (Jean) Decker, Jeannie (Wayne) Hofer and Roxanne (Tom) Ford, all of Huron; five grandsons, Jeff Kleinsasser, Brandon Ford, Marty (Theresa) Ford, Mike (Amy) Hofer and Andy Gross; four granddaughters, Melissa Hofer, Jeni Hofer (Tom Light), Beth Delvaux, and Amanda (Matthew) Roberts; nine great-grandsons, Nathan Hofer, Sam Delvaux, Noah Hofer, Landon Roberts, Max Roberts, Lucas Hofer, Jaedyn Ford, Jastyn Ford and Taylor Johnson; four great-granddaughters, Sidney Delvaux, MaKayla Hofer, Emma Roberts and Kristina Johnson; one sister, Shirley (Raymond) Hofer of Huron; two brothers, Dennis (Jane) Decker of Huron and Jerome (Esther) Decker of Bemidji, Minnesota; three sisters-in-law, Annie (Robert) Oswald, Verna Kleinsasser and Shirley Clark, all of Huron; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.