Irene Margaret Yakish

Irene M. Yakish, 88 of Devils Lake formerly of Sarles, ND died on Monday evening, August 6, 2007 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for Irene will be held on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Irene will be her grandchildren, Peter B. Schuler, Lynn Mikkelsen, Thomas J. Yakish, Jodi A. Gangl, Janelle K. Schefter and Julie Cokley. Reading the Scriptures will be Jim Schuler Gift Bearers will be Irene’s children Irene Margaret Gartner was born rural Munich, ND on January 2, 1919, the daughter of Peter and Katherine (Worms) Gartner. She was reared and educated in the Munich area, graduating from Munich High School. She worked as a “farm girl” for several of the area farm homes until her marriage to Boniface Schuler in October of 1938 at Munich. They established their home on a farm in the Calio area until 1952, when they sold the farm and began as owner/operators of “Irene’s Bar” in Sarles. Boniface died in April of 1953. Irene continued to make her home in Sarles and operate the bar. On June 15, 1954, Irene was united in marriage to John C. “Jack” Yakish at Calio, ND. They renamed the bar “Jack’s Bar” and continued as operators until Arpil of 1976 when they sold it to their son, Donald. In 1993, they moved to Devils Lake where they have lived and worked through the years. Irene worked as a secretary for the Green Thumb Program in both Sarles and Devils Lake where she was very involved in the Senior Meals Program and also in the area of Abused Women and Children Program. She lived a life of service and dedication to her family, her home and her community. Irene was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Sarles American Legion Post #276 Auxiliary, and in her younger years she was very involved as a 4-H leader. Irene was an avid bowler, reader and an excellent seamstress. She loved spending time with her dear family and many friends at Bingo and especially gathering family together every Sunday for her famously delicious “fried chicken” dinners. We shall hold our memories of Irene forever in our hearts. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jack Daughter: Gladys Olson of Osseo, Minnesota Sons: Donald Schuler and his wife, Katherine of Devils Lake Joseph “Joe” Yakish and his wife, Connie of Hill City, Kansas Daughter-In-Law: Beverly Schuler of Devils Lake Grandchildren: Cindy Robb, Debbie Cardinal, Terry Olson, Douglas Olson, Julie Cokley, Jodi Gangl, Peter B. Schuler, Lynn Mikkelsen, Janelle Schefter and Thomas J. Yakish Step Grandchildren: Sherry McConnell, Eva Schaaf, Mary Ellen Etter and LeeAnn Lipelt Twenty-One Great Grandchildren Eleven Step Great Grandchildren Sister: Marie Timm also of Devils Lake Several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Katherine Gartner; husband, Boniface Schuler; sons, Peter E. Schuler and John A. Yakish; daughter, Lois Mikkelsen; grandchildren, Lisa Schuler, Kelly Mikkelsen and Angel Yakish; brothers, Edward Gartner and Michael Gartner and sister, Frances Huffman. Friends may sign the online register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com