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Irene Elizabeth Scharmer

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Service Information

Irene Elizabeth Scharmer, age 96, of Duluth, Minnesota, formerly Hutchinson, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.

Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 1, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson with interment in the Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

Visitation/Gathering
Dobratz-Hantge Chapel
899 Highway 15 South
Hutchinson, MN
Website:hantge.com
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Service
Dobratz-Hantge Chapel
899 Highway 15 South
Hutchinson, MN
Website:hantge.com
View Map
Funeral Chapel
Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel
899 Highway 15 South
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Phone:(320) 587-2128
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Cemetery
Oakland Cemetery
805 Hwy 15 South
Hutchinson, MN
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Obituary

Irene Elizabeth Scharmer died peacefully at Solvay Hospice House on June 1, 2019.  She lived a full and busy life for 96 years, living 61 years in Hutchinson and her final seven years in Duluth.  

Irene was born July 3, 1922, in Omaha, Nebraska to Martha (Blasig) and Fred Dietrich.  She attended school in Omaha, graduating from South High School in June 1940, where she was honored as Outstanding Senior Girl for academic excellence and leadership.  Her education was complemented by six years of Intensive German School where the German language and script was taught.  As a result, throughout her life, her handwriting was remarkably beautiful.

Following graduation, Irene worked for Northern Natural Gas Company in Omaha in the payroll department where her math skills and attention to details were appreciated. 

Irene married Ruben William Scharmer on December 26, 1943, in Omaha.   The young couple moved to Little Rock, Arkansas while Ruben was stationed at the Robinson Army base and where Irene worked in payroll.

Irene moved to Waconia, Minnesota in February 1944, and Ruben followed when he came home from the service.  In 1952 they moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota and opened Scharmer Upholstery.   Irene worked both as a sewer and accountant for the business.  She was active at Peace Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school and Release Time classes, and as a Girl Scout troop leader. 

Irene and Ruben enjoyed 63 years of marriage, raising three children and building a business together.  Irene will be remembered for her incredible cooking and baking skills; many loaves of fresh bread, doughnuts, and caramel rolls came out of her kitchen, along with fresh jams, jellies, and canned goods.  She spoiled her family with fresh, healthy and tasty meals, created from her expansive garden.  She was a seamstress of great skill, and her girls were some of the best-dressed kids around in professionally fitted and tailored clothes.  Her “just do it” skills came in handy at a lot on Lake Minnie Belle, where Irene gave flair to the process of building the family cabin.  Many great summers were spent enjoying the cabin starting in 1955, and it continues to build memories even today as it remains in the Scharmer family.

In retirement Irene and Ruben enjoyed 23 “snowbird” years in Arizona balanced with summers on Lake Minnie Belle.  After Ruben’s death, Irene moved to Duluth where she developed a group of wonderful friends and had many enjoyable years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Martha and Fred Dietrich, her husband, Ruben Scharmer, sister, Eleanor Zito, and Brother, Ralph Dietrich.  She is survived by her sister Lucille Derr of San Diego, CA; brother Robert Dietrich (Sophia) of Colorado Springs, CO; sister-in-law Norma Dietrich of Omaha, NE; son, Jerry Scharmer (Diane) of Buffalo Lake, MN; daughter Cynthia Richards (Steve) of Scottsdale, AZ; daughter Patricia Burns (Bill) of Duluth, MN; grandchildren Kari Ann Runke, Stephanie Scharmer, Phillip Scharmer (Lynette), Dan Richards (Katie),Tom Richards, Melissa Quaal (Kieran), Erika Rood (Paul), and Charles Chevalier-Rood (Sarah) as well as 17 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Irene will be deeply missed by her family and friends.  Her incredible sense of humor, keen negotiation skills, quick mind, loving spirit, and many talents will long live in our memory and family stories.  Rest in peace dear Irene.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robert Dietrich says

    June 13, 2019 at 12:10 pm

    Love to my sister and her family.

    Reply
  2. Sharon Derr says

    June 15, 2019 at 11:36 am

    Richard and I enjoyed our many visits with you. You hold a very special place in our hearts. You will be missed by us and so many others.

    Reply
  3. Rosewitha Seltz says

    June 19, 2019 at 12:16 pm

    My sympathies to Irene Scharmers family. Your father was a cousin to my Dad. Arthur Hilk. I remember visiting your house in Waconia, as a child. Also a few years ago at the beautiful cabin at Minnie Belle. We now live not far from there. Enjoying our retirement years on Cedar lake. Your Mom was a sweet heart and I know she will be missed. What wonderful memories you have. The last time I saw your parents was at our home in 1999. My mother was staying with us and my Aunt Clara Lobitz and her daughter and several other cousins were visiting and I served lunch in our then new house. Rosewitha Hilk Seltz.

    Reply
    • Patricia Burns says

      July 6, 2019 at 9:23 pm

      Thank you so much Uncle Bobbie. My mom is at peace. She had a lovely celebration of her life. We were so fortunate to have her with us for so many years. Love to you. Pat

      Reply
  4. Lucille Derr says

    June 20, 2019 at 1:20 am

    Rest in peace my beautiful sister Irene, you remain in my heart for ever.

    Reply
  5. Douglas Derr says

    June 20, 2019 at 1:34 am

    Thank you Irene and Rueben for a lifetime of fun memories on the lake, you will be missed, rest in peace.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    June 26, 2019 at 10:49 am

    With wonderful memories and sympathy to Irene Scharmers family. We will all ways remember Irene’s wonderful smile and thoughtfulness. What a beautiful, good, long well lived life. Irene, may you rest in peace.
    With Love, Patricia Richards
    Neal, Craig and family, Laura and Todd and family

    Reply

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