Irene Marie Fodness (Fodness) Neiman

Irene Marie Neiman was born November 1, 1913 to parents Sigurd and Bessie (Myhre) Fodness in Lyon County, Nordland Township, near Minneota. She was baptized and confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. She attended District 77 Country School and Madison Lutheran Normal School. She graduated in 1931 from Madison. On April 22, 1943 she was united in marriage to William H. Neiman at Hope Lutheran Church parsonage in Minneota by Reverend O.P. Stensland. She worked as a beautician prior to her marriage and for many years afterwards. She worked at the St. John’s Nursing Home in Springfield for 21 years as a Nurse’s Aide and volunteered many years after her retirement. Irene was very active in her church, St. John’s Lutheran in Springfield for nearly 60 years. She was in Circle, Ladies Aid, Quilting Club and helped with serving coffee after church, as well as working at funeral lunches. On February 22, 2009 she had a stroke. She entered the Springfield Hospital and after two days was transferred to the Minneota Manor in Minneota. On April 2, 2009 she entered the assisted living apartments where she resided until April 9, 2013 when she moved to the nursing home after the stroke. Irene died on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the Minneota Manor Health Care System in Minneota. Survivors are sons Eugene (Barbara) and David; grandchildren Kelly (Gerard) Watras, Jean (Walter) Siewierski and their children Emma, Ayanna, Zak and Eli, Aaron (Rachael) and Larissa Neiman; and great-granddaughter Ella Neiman; sisters-in-law Ione Svendsen, Jean Neiman and Verna Rae Gardner; and many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Nels; and sister Sharlotte. Blessed be her memory.