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IRENE ANGELINE (NIELAND) BIERL

ALGONA – Irene Angeline (Nieland) Bierl died on Monday, August 24th, 2015, at the Prince of Peace Home in Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 94.

A Celebration of Irene’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 29th, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in St. Benedict, rural Algona, IA. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:30 St. Benedict Catholic Church, prior to the Celebration of Life Mass officiated by Father Peter Duc Nguyen.

Irene was born on July 26, 1921 at the family farm in Sac County near Breda, IA. She was one of 8 children of Bernard and Mary (Grote) Nieland of Breda, Iowa. Irene graduated from St. Bernard School in Breda. Her grandfather, John Henry Nieland emigrated from Westphalia, Germany at age 17 and lived to be 97. He was the oldest man in Carroll County at the time of death with 175 living descendents in 1949.

Irene married Virgil R. Bierl on February10, 1947 in St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda. During the first years of their marriage they farmed near Auburn, IA and later Hayfield, MN. In1951, they assumed ownership of Bierl Locker Plant in St. Benedict, which they operated until 1981. For 30 years Bierl Lockers served the people of Kossuth and Hancock counties with custom slaughter services, cured, and smoked meats. For many years they also operated a hardware and seed-and-feed business. After retirement Irene remained in St. Benedict until Oct. 2011 when she moved to Sioux Falls to be near her daughter Yvonne “Von Bierl” Hemmer and family.

Irene grew up in a German-American farm family that retained the traditions of their heritage. She was a supportive wife and taught her children the values of life. Irene leaves a legacy rich in family values, faith, and tradition. She always maintained a large garden, applying her special talents learned from her parents to grow abundant flowers, potatoes, tomatoes, vegetables, raspberries, and strawberries. Irene would preserve her produce and make jam and jellies as Christmas gifts for friends and family.

Irene especially enjoyed spending time with family during the holidays when everyone gathered at the Bierl house. This time was special to her, and her family.

Known as the most accomplished Scrabble player in the family, she was an avid daily crossword puzzle and JUMBLE solver and even influenced other family members to become involved in her passion. Irene’s love of books led her to read nearly every book in the Algona Public Library. She was a member of the St. Benedict Catholic Church, the Ladies Guild, and the Catholic Daughters of America.

When she was 13 years old, Irene contracted Rheumatic Fever and was bed ridden for months, and the doctor treated her at the family farm home. After recovering from the illness the doctor felt that due to the resultant heart murmur she would probably never be strong and would die at a young age. Irene lived to be 94 years old and bore five children including twins.

Survivors include sons, Russell (Dianne) of Ankeny, and Ronald of Nora Springs; daughters, Mary Grohmann (Roger) of Omaha, NE; Margaret Raemisch (Rick) of Waunakee, WI, and Yvonne Hemmer (Dave) of Sioux Falls, SD; as well as 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Her surviving brother and sisters include, Paul Nieland (Connie) of Breda, Jolene Jensen of Anamosa, Charlotte Carter of Alta, and sister-in-law Della Nieland of Manson.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Virgil R. Bierl, her parents Bernard and Mary (Grote) Nieland, a brother Arthur, who was killed while a Japanese Prisoner of War in WWII, her sister Florence Evers and husband Bob Evers of Sac City, brothers Pat Nieland of Manson and Cyril Nieland and wife Barb of Sac City, brother-in-law Ken Carter of Alta, Bill Jensen of Anamosa and grandson Douglas Bierl (son of Russ).

Irene Bierl was a wonderful mother, wife, sister, grandmother, and friend who will never be replaced in our hearts. Thankfully we hold onto the promise that “In Christ we will have eternal life.”

Oakcrest Funeral Services, Algona, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.