Irene Von Riesen
1916 – 2012
Irene Genevieve Von Riesen, 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 6, 2012 at Valley View Villa Care Center in Fort Morgan. She was born February 5, 1916 in Elgin, Nebraska to Christopher and Emma (Retzlaff) Schuchardt, growing up on the family farm with her seven older brothers. She learned to drive in her brother’s Ford Model T and her Father bought her a new 1929 Ford Model A to drive to High School. She graduated in 1933 in Elgin.
She married Clifford Von Riesen on September 10, 1937 in Elgin, Nebraska. They lived in Nebraska; Logan, Utah; and Denver, Colorado until finally settling in Fort Morgan in 1951. She worked at the First National Bank for almost 30 years, from 1955 until her retirement in 1984. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, cooking, and crocheting, and was always working on a craft of some kind. Her faith was an important part of her life; she was a member of the Church of Christ in Fort Morgan.
Mrs. Von Riesen is survived by her son Gerald Von Riesen of Aurora; son-in-law Arthur Zwetzig of Fort Morgan, who gave of himself unselfishly for several years to care for her; 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her seven brothers, Chester, Frank, Ralph, Raymond, Robert, Warren, and Wilbur; her husband Clifford in 1997; and her daughter Gloria (Von Riesen) Zwetzig in 2001.
No services will be held at the request of Mrs. Von Riesen. There will be a private family gathering for interment at Serenity Falls Columbarium in Fort Morgan. Memorials may be made to Mountain States Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1097, Longmont, C) 80502-9912 or online at www.msch.org/donate.html. Heer and Dahl Mortuaries and Crematory in Fort Morgan are in charge of arrangements.
