Irene Margaret Stern

Irene Stern, 90-year-old resident of Willmar, formerly of Upsala passed away Sunday, December 20 at the Copperleaf Senior Living in Wilmar. A complete and full obituary to follow.

A Mass of ChristianBurial will take place on Monday, December 28, 2020 at 1:00 PM at St. Marys Catholic Church in Upsala, Minnesota. Visitation will take place one hour prior to mass at the church. The Rosary will be at 1:00PM with Mass to follow. Burial will immediately followat the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial masses are preferred in Irenes honor.

* Per the state mandate - if you are attending services please wear a mask and practice social distancing.



Irene Margaret (Kveton) Stern was born on August 6, 1930, the youngest of 5 children to John and Emma (Sadlo) Kveton of rural Browerville, Minnesota. She graduated from Staples High school and then chose to attend St. Cloud Teachers College obtaining a two-year teaching degree. Irenes teaching career took her to school districts in Anoka, Holdingford and Upsala. In the mid-1970s while teaching in Upsala and raising her family, Irene returned to St. Cloud State University and obtained her bachelors degree in education. Altogether she spent 30 years in education and loved watching her students grow and learn. Her dedication to education also included 10 years with the Adult Basic Education program helping individuals obtain their GED diploma. She was honored to be recognized by the Upsala school district as Teacher of the Year in 1982-83.

On November 22, 1952 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Browerville, Irene married Robert (Bob) Stern. This union would be blessed with two beautiful daughters, Patti and Julie. The couple raised their family in Upsala where they were both active in their community and church. Early in their marriage while living in Upsala, Bob and Irene were involved in the efforts to establish a Catholic church in Upsala now known as St. Marys. Irene led life by example teaching religious education classes for 20 years, volunteering and serving in leadership capacity with the Daughters of Isabella, Catholic Aid Association and was a charter member of the St. Marys Christian Mothers. She was also a member of the Upsala American Legion Auxiliary, Upsala Planning Commission as well as volunteering in many other capacities.

In retirement, Irene and Bob enjoyed winters in Arizona. She enjoyed golfing, learning to play bridge, and gathering with friends for potlucks in the community room. Irenes hobbies included knitting afghans, making quilts and gardening. She took great joy in mowing her lawn, planting and maintaining her vegetable garden and flower beds and she often shared the fruits of her labor with her family and the community. She loved to bake and cook.

Irene loved her family. She looked forward to holidays like Christmas when she would plan and prepare a huge feast and gather her family around the table. A full table surrounded with family would make her heart shine with love and gratefulness.

On Sunday, December 20, 2020, during the season of Christmas Irenes earthly journey came to an end at Copperleaf Senior Living in Willmar. Irene was 90 years old. She is survived by her daughters, Patti (Darrell) Tschida of Willmar, Julie (Jesse) Vouk of Oak Grove; grandchildren, Sarah Tasto, Nicholas Tasto, Rachel Vouk, Trevor (Lexi) Tschida; great-grandchildren, Ivory Tasto, Kassandra Tschida and Christopher Tschida; many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; parents; siblings, George (Lorraine) Kveton, Larry (Ruth) Kveton, Betty (Frank) Tichy and Grace (John) Ludovissie.