Ida L Struffert

Ida L. Struffert, age 91, of Pierz, MN, passed away Friday, April 1, 2011 at the Pierz Villa in Pierz, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz, MN, with Rev. Gerald Dalseth officiating. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Monday, April 4, 2011 and 8:30 - 9:30 A.M. Tuesday, April 5th all at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz, MN. There will be a Christian Mother's Rosary at 4:30 P.M. followed by Parish Prayers at 7:30 P.M. Ida Louise Blaisdell was born on November 2, 1919 in St. Cloud, MN the daughter of Jess & Hilda (Hanson) Blaisdell. She grew up on a farm east of Buckman, MN and attended country school (which she later taught in). Ida received her teaching certificate at St. Cloud Teacher's College. She began her teaching career in Morrison County where she taught for 32 years and 14 years at Foley Elementary School. She was united in marriage to Joseph F. Struffert, Sr. on June 25, 1942 in Jacksonville, FL. The couple made their home east of Buckman on a dairy farm. The couple retired from farming and moved to Pierz in 1992. Ida enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, gardening, and visiting with her family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling. She made a trip with each one of her children. She went to the Royal Gorge in Colorado with Nancy's family, to the arboretum in Minneapolis with Vivian, to the launching of the Columbia SSN 771 submarine with Joe and got to watch the First Lady, Hillary Clinton christen the submarine, got to ride the aircraft carrier, Carl Vinson out to sea for family day with Yvonne's family and to Lake Havasu City Arizona to her sister's 80th birthday with her son, Henry. She attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz where she was a member. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Joe Struffert, Jr. of Hanover, CT, Nancy (Steve) Weisz of Nathrop, CO, Henry Struffert of Washburn, ND and Vivian Struffert of Bloomington, MN; family friend, Kathy Riley of Bloomington, MN; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Irene Yatckoske in Arvada, CO. Ida was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph (June 9, 1996); daughter, Yvonne and husband, Andrew Tapling; twin sister, Melissa Moren; daughters-in-law, Leonor Struffert and Alice Struffert.