WICKENHAUSER: Irene Anna Mary
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November 1, 1921 鈥� April 16, 2015
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The passing of Mrs. Irene Anna Mary (nee Berthold) Wickenhauser of Saskatoon, SK, occurred on Thursday, April 16, 2015, at the age of 93 years. Irene was born on November 1, 1921 to Joseph and Anna (nee Ackerman) Berthold near Carmel, Sk. She grew up on the family farm and attended Highgate School, just across the road from the Berthold farm, up to grade 9. When she was 14 her family moved to Naicam, SK. in a caboose pulled by horses, Nellie and Tom. Irene finished high school at the Ursuline Academy in Bruno in 1949. She continued her education in Saskatoon at Normal School where she became a teacher. Irene taught at country schools, Early Dawn near Romance, Green Lawn near Naicam, St. James near Muenster, and at Watson Sacred Heart School. Irene met Herb when she taught in Romance. She always said 鈥淚 took a crack at Romance at Early Dawn!鈥� Irene and Herb were married October 25th, 1955 in Naicam. They made their home on the farm near Romance. There they raised 5 children:听 Melanie, Lana, Luke, Marilyn and Nadine. After Herb passed away in 1981, Irene remained on the farm until 1992 when she moved to Humboldt. In 2012 at age 91, Irene moved to Quill Plains Centennial Lodge in Watson. Irene spent her last month at St. Joseph鈥檚 Home in Saskatoon. In Irene鈥檚 words, in her youth, 鈥淚 always had time for skiing, biking, country school dances and knitting (especially for the soldiers during World War II), but playing softball was always my heart throb!鈥� She played softball into her adult life in Saskatoon for the Vanguards and for the Spartans, a provincial team. Later she played for teams in Naicam and Watson. She also loved the outdoors, gardening, picking berries and living on the farm. Irene enjoyed visiting the sick in the hospital and senior homes as well as her siblings and friends. She was a wonderful hostess and loved to serve anyone who entered her doors! Her faith in God permeated her whole life, evident in her involvement in many ministries of the Church and CWL positions. Her faith was a huge inspiration and example to her children and grandchildren. She always put her family first, spending many wonderful times with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed playing games, visiting and reading to her grandchildren whenever she could. Irene was always ready to help out the family whenever she was needed. You could always depend on her for anything! Those who knew Irene have their special memories of a fun-loving, faith-filled and exceptional person. Irene will be lovingly remembered by her four daughters, one son, 20 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren: Melanie(James) Ramsay and family, James(Vicky) and children Jonas and Calder, Fr. Matthew, Marjorie, Jillian, Julia; Lana(Douglas) Ramsay and family, David, Alyssa, Andrew, Jessica; Luke(Kathleen) Wickenhauser and family, Marya and son Kael, Joshua, Aidan; Marilyn and children Aaron, Amanda and children Hayden and Grayson, Briana; Nadine(Timothy) and family, Amy(David) Rybinski, Hannah, Jason, Natalie, Owen. Irene is survived by one sister-in-law, Eileen(Edwin) Berthold; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Anna; husband, Herb (1981); sisters-and-brothers-in-law: Mary(August) Koett, Veronica Berthold, Sr. Rita Berthold, Rita(Stan) Warden, Marcella(Andy) Weninger; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Frank(Irene), Otto(Marianne), Edwin; two brothers in infancy; and by nephews and nieces: Lyle Koett, Gilbert Berthold, Denis Berthold, Lorine Strobbe, Rita(Norman) Fuller. The Prayer Service for Irene was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., presided by Fr. Matthew Ramsay. Others taking part were: Marya Wickenhauser, pianist; Marjorie Ramsay, cantor; and Joan Molle, scripture reader. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church on Friday, April 24, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Matthew Ramsay and concelebrated by Fr. Ephraim Mensah, Fr. Darryl Millette, Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, Fr. Modestus Ngwu and Msgr. Matthew Tuffuor-Amoah. Others taking part were: Owen Keller, crossbearer; James A. Ramsay and Kathleen Wickenhauser, scripture readers; David Rybinski, intentions; Amanda and Briana Morrison, giftbearers. Music ministry was provided by Douglas Ramsay and Irene鈥檚 grandchildren. An honor guard was formed by members of the Humboldt and Watson C.W.L. Honorary pallbearers were 鈥渁ll those who shared in Irene鈥檚 life鈥�. Active pallbearers were Timothy Keller, James B. Ramsay, David Ramsay, Aaron Morrison, Andrew Ramsay, Joshua Wickenhauser, Jason Keller and Aidan Wickenhauser. Interment followed at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery, Watson, SK. Memorial donations may be directed to the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, St. Joseph鈥檚 Home - Saskatoon, or Carlton Trail Pro-Life. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
