Irene Mina Novosad

Obituary

Irene Mina (Stradtmann) Novosad was born on March 31, 1921, on a farm south of Glencoe to Henry Johann and Ella Marie (Paulsen) Stradtmann. She was baptized on May 8, 1921 and was later confirmed in her faith on June 17, 1934 in the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe.

During World War II on January 24, 1943, Irene was united in marriage to William Charles Novosad in Laguna Beach, California. While Bill was stationed overseas in the US Marine Corps, Irene worked in an airplane factory which was disguised a gas station, assembling parts for military aircraft. They were blessed with their first child, a daughter, Karen.

In 1946, they returned to Minnesota and settled on a farm in Henderson. In 1952 her husband became Deputy County Auditor and they moved to Gaylord where they built a new house, doing much of the work themselves. They were blessed with six more children: Vicki, William H., Bonnie, Brenda, Diane and Charles. Irene and Bill shared 54 years of marriage when Bill passed away on May 26, 1997.

Irene was a very talented woman who had many varied interests. She enjoyed a challenge. She was a passionate quilter sewing clothing and quilts for her children and grandchildren and for World Relief. When she was 17 years old she opened the LeRene Dress Shop in Arlington and when she was 20 years old she sewed a quilt consisting of 4,034 one-inch square pieces. Irene also enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens and took a special delight in her roses.

Irene was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord, holding several offices in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and teaching Sunday school. She belonged to several homemakers’ groups and started a Bible class that met for many years. She enjoyed writing; poetry, school plays, hysterical and historical stories. However, first and foremost, she was a dedicated and loving wife, mother and grandmother to all her loved ones. She taught them love, kindness and compassion and she instilled in them Christian values which have kept their hearts in a faithful following of the Lord to this day.

At the age of 95 she moved to assisted living in Gaylord and due to declining health, eventually moved into GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe. Irene was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven on Friday, November 22, 2019, at the age of 98 years, 7 months and 22 days.

Irene was devoted to her faith and family; kind and gracious to everyone. She cherished the time she spent with her family and friends and always gave thanks to God for all that she had. Blessed be her memory.

Irene is survived by her loving children:
Karen (H. John) Meyer,
Vicki (Gary) Olson,
William (Miriam) Novosad,
Bonnie (Robert) Flom,
Brenda (Wilbert) Pautsch,
Diane (James) Rodgers, and
Charles (LeaAnn) Novosad;
grandchildren, Beth (John Fahlin) Meyer, John W. (Sherry) Meyer, William R. (Courtney) Novosad, Lucas (Amy) Novosad, Alexandra Novosad, Melissa (Tyler) Buss, Andrew Pautsch, Allison (Brian) Campbell, Peter (Kayla) Rodgers, Madeline Rodgers, Jennifer (Brandon) Meyer, Joshua (Brandi) Novosad;
great grandchildren, Morgan, Kenny and Emily Meyer, William J. and Olivia Novosad, Abigail, Kathryn and Emily Novosad, Theodore Campbell, Scarlett Rodgers, Archer Meyer, Maci and William C. Novosad;
sisters-in-law, Serena Stradtmann, Betty Stradtmann and Lois Novosad;
nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Ella Stradtmann; husband, William C. Novosad; sister and brother-in-law, Laura and Victor Boesche; brothers, Ivan and Roy Stradtmann; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mary and Frank Luepke, Ann and Werner Deutsch, John and Jean Novosad, Helen and Marvin Kruschke, James Novosad, Peter Novosad, Dorthy Novosad; grandson, Matthew Flom; and great-grandson, Ethan Novosad.