Ilene C. Schemionek

Ilene C. Schemionek, 84 of Devils Lake ND died Monday, June 19, 2023, in her home in the loving care of family and special caregivers Jackie Downs and Amber Johnson.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 28th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Reverend Lori Pankratz will officiate, and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 27th at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Serving as Casket Bearers will be Ilene’s grandchildren Justin Schemionek, Ryan Schemionek, Alexus Schemionek, Cody Birkeland, Lindsey Swanson, and Levi Hollinger.

Ilene Corein Nagel was born on May 3, 1939, in Cavalier County, the daughter of Churchill and Valrein (Schmidt) Nagel. She grew up in rural Starkweather ND and was educated at Starkweather School. After Ilene finished the 9th grade, she and her mother moved into the telephone office in Starkweather and Ilene worked as an operator for a few years. She then started at the Lake Region Clinic as a phlebotomist. The nuns took her under their wings and were her teachers. For fifty plus years, Ilene was employed with the Lake Region Clinic and was known as one of the best phlebotomists ever.

Ilene was united in marriage to William “Bill” Schemionek on November 16, 1957. They established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked, and raised their family through the years.

After Bill retired, they enjoyed winters in Casa Grande, Arizona, and their summers at their lake home on the shores of Devils Lake which they enjoyed with family and friends. Ilene continued to work part-time at Altru Clinic until 2019.

Ilene enjoyed doing many different types of crafts; needle point, crocheting and knitting. When she could she would be involved with the many church activities.

She was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and the WELCA, and life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.  

Ilene is survived by her son Randy and his wife Julie Schemionek of Penn ND; grandchildren Justin (Jessica) Schemionek, Ryan Schemionek all of Penn ND, Alexus Schemionek, Munich ND, Cody (Amanda) Birkeland, Lindsey (Jeremy) Swanson all of Devils Lake and Levi Hollinger of Lefor, ND; six great grandchildren Cahlen, Cashlynn, Bentley, Braxton, Brantley, and Brynley all of Devils Lake; sister Flora McGarvey also of Fargo; many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Those preceding Ilene in death were her parents, husband Bill in 2010, her daughter Lori Hollinger in 2000, sister Rosie Wentz and brother Ernest Nagel.