BORN

1932

DIED

2012

Irene VanHeel Obituary

Irene VanHeel, 80

St. Anthony

Dec. 21, 1932 - Dec. 26, 2012

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Irene VanHeel, 80, of St. Anthony, will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 29, 2012 at St. Anthony Church in St. Anthony. Father Michael Naughton, OSB will officiate and burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Irene passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home Wednesday morning. There will be a visitation from 4:00-8:00 PM Friday, December 28, 2012 at St. Anthony Church in St. Anthony, and again after 10:00 AM until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Parish Prayers will be at 4:00 PM Friday at the church and Christian Mothers will pray the rosary at 7:30 PM Friday also. Arrangements are being made with Miller-Carlin Funeral Home of Albany.

Irene was born on December 21, 1932 in St. Joseph to Mary (Klein) and Henry Feld and grew up there with her eight siblings. Irene married Raymond VanHeel on July 9, 1955 in St. Joseph. They started their married life by taking over the family farm in St. Anthony. Irene was a homemaker, and raised nine children on the farm she worked with her husband. She was well known for her awesome fried chicken and Special-K bars, was an excellent cook who often would feed the farm helpers, and did lots of canning and pickling with items she grew in her own garden. Irene was an amazing farm wife who helped with fieldwork, milked the cows, threw hay bales, and especially enjoying working with the calves. A very crafty person, her free time was spent helping kids with 4-H projects, knitting, quilting, crocheting, and rug making. Irene even demonstrated rug making at Pioneer Days in Albany. She also liked to go square dancing and would make her own dresses. As her children became parents, Irene took on a new role and loved to spoil her grandchildren (and granddogs) with unconditional love and by always having a bottomless candy bowl on the table (and special treats for the dogs). She was an active member of St. Anthony Church and a member of Christian Mothers.

Irene is survived by her children Gary (Loretta) VanHeel, Albany; Wayne "DA" VanHeel, St. Anthony; Linda (John) Kurtz, Avon; Randy VanHeel, St. Anthony; Carolyn (Dan) Reisdorf, St. Joseph; Sandy (Dan) Wielenberg, St. Anthony; Mary (Jeff) Zenner, Albany; Charlene (Bruce) Gerads, Holdingford; and Patsy (Jason) Birr, Oak Grove; her siblings Sylvester (Mary) Feld, Delphine (Tom) Auer, and Darlene (Tony) Achmann; her in-laws Larry Skaalerud and Mary B. Feld; her nineteen grandchildren; and her eleven great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 41 years in August of 1996; her parents Mary and Henry Feld; and her siblings Gerhard, George, Benny, Leona, and Dorine.

Published by St. Cloud Times on Dec. 28, 2012.
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Another year has gone by...hard to believe we´ve been without you for 11 years. Your love, wisdom, and guidance is missed more than you could ever know. Yesterday, on Christmas Day, we followed a big Cardinal tanker truck (it had a picture of a Cardinal on it too) from Freeport to Missy´s driveway. We also saw a bald eagle land in a field close to the road...knew you and dad were near. I sure did appreciate the signs on the day of our family gathering! Thank you! Please continue to hear my prayers and send signs that lift my spirit, because it lets me know that you are watching over us. I´ll especially need you close by me for the start of 2024. TIA.

I miss you more
than anyone knows.
As time goes by,
the emptiness grows.
I laugh, I talk, I play my part,
But behind my smile,
is a broken heart.

Happy 11th Heavenly Anniversary, Mom...hugs from us all!

Miss you most...Love you forever,
PB, J, C, W

PB

December 26, 2023

Today has been 10 years without you. We had a moment of remembrance for you yesterday at the Van Heel Christmas. You are missed tremendously by all the generations that were gathered there. I enjoy telling my boys about growing up on the farm and how special their Farm Grandma and Farm Grandpa were. "C" is a big fan of Farm Grandma food...especially buttered noodles with crackers and "Mom´s rice"! You were an amazing mom, and I miss you EVERY day. Thank you for your needed signs that help me thru life and ask that you please continue to watch over my family and send me signs to know that you are near.

Time slips by and life goes on,
But from my heart you´re never gone.
I think about you aways,
I talk about you too,
I have so many memories,
But I wish I still had you.

Happy 10-year Heavenly Anniversary, Mom...
Miss you so, so much.

Love always,
PB, J, C, and W....Love and Hugs from us to you!!

PB

December 26, 2022

Hard to believe it has been 9 years. This year was full of changes. I left my job, we packed up our stuff, and moved to Alexandria. There have been numerous times I wished you were here to give me advice, to listen to my worries, or just comfort me with a hug. Miss you lots, Mom. Please continue to watch over my family and send signs that you´re around.

You Are Missed So Very Much

I often sit and think about
The years that have passed by
And of the happiness and joy
That was shared by you and I.
I think of all the laughter,
The smiles and all the fun
And before I even know it,
My tears have once again begun.
For although it brings me comfort
To walk down memory lane,
It reminds me how, without you,
Life has never been the same.

Love you forever, Mom...XOXO
PB, J, C and W

PB

December 26, 2021

Today it has been 8 years since you left us. I miss you so much! 2020 has been full of difficult times due to COVID-19. Too many missed family gatherings. Prayers for a better year in 2021. My boys ask more questions about Farm Gma & Gpa. Wy said I need to hang a picture up of Farm Grandma & Farm Grandpa. :) Please continue to send me signs and showing up in my dreams. Love you forever, Mom! ❤
Gone is the face we loved so dear.
Silent is the voice we loved to hear.
Too far away for sight or speech.
But not too far for our thoughts to reach.

Love and Hugs...XOXO
PB, J, C and W

Patsy Birr

Daughter

December 26, 2020

Seven years without your smile, your laugh, and your warm hugs. We lost Big Dan just a few weeks ago, so the Van Heel Christmas was missing another special person this year. We will all need signs from above to help us through our grieving. My boys are getting bigger, and I have been telling them more stories about Farm Grandma and Farm Grandpa. Miss you, Mom.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Those special memories of you
will always bring a smile
if only I could have you back
for just a little while
Then we could sit and talk again
just like we used to do
you always meant so very much
and always will do too
The fact that youre no longer here
will always cause me pain
but youre forever in my heart
until we meet again.

Love from us all in 2019,
PB, J, C, and W ❤

December 26, 2019

Mom...6 years of missing you. I think of you all the time and wish you were still with us. I will keep my eyes open for signs that you are near.

There are no words to tell you Mom,
What losing you has meant.
But now each day brings memories
Of happy years we spent.
You'd want us all to smile again,
And that's just what we do
Every time we reminisce
With loving thoughts of you.
You're with us when
Each new day dawns
And when we say goodnight.
Our guardian angel here on earth,
And Heaven's shining light.

Miss your hugs, your humor, your laughter, your smile, your wisdom, your love. XOXO
PB, J, C, and W

December 26, 2018

Hard to believe it's been 5 years since you left us. I still ask myself, "What would Mom do?" I need your advice almost every day. Miss you so much!!

I still miss you
As the days and years pass
I still miss you
As the pain of grief softens
I still miss you
As new memories are made
I still miss you
As I smile and laugh
I still miss you
Today and every day
I still miss you.

Love and Hugs,
PB, J, C, & W

December 26, 2017

Four years, and I still miss you so much...

If I could have a lifetime wish,
A dream that would come true,
I'd pray to God with all my heart,
For yesterday and you.
A thousand words can't bring you back,
I know because I tried,
Neither will a thousand tears,
I know because I cried.
You left behind our broken hearts,
And happy memories too,
But I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A person never stops needing their mom. I only wish you were still here to talk to, to laugh with, and to hug.
Love you forever,
PB & J & C & W

December 26, 2016

It's been 3 years, but I can clearly remember the day you left us. Lots has changed, but you are thought about and loved more than ever.
-PB & J & C & W

They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time nor reason,
Will change the way I feel,
For no-one knows the heartache,
That lies behind our smiles,
No-one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried,
We want to tell you something,
So there will be no doubt,
You're so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to be without.
~Author Unknown

December 26, 2015

2 years and I miss you just as much as ever. I think about you every day and hope I am raising my boys to make you & dad proud. I watch for signs to know that you are watching over us.
Hugs and kisses....PB & J and the boys

Our hearts still ache with sadness,
And secret tears still flow,
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.

You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
Although we cannot see you,
You're always at our side.

December 26, 2014

12/26/2013: It's been one year since you left us. It's been a tough year for many reasons. Miss you with all my heart.
"I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.
I think of you in silence; I often speak your name. All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake from which I'll never part. God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart."
Sending you a hug and kiss. I love you, Mom.

PB & J & C & baby

December 26, 2013

Sandy and Dan,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the VanHeel family.
Jack & Kathy Monarski

December 29, 2012

Even though we cannot be with you all our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sadness. We will miss seeing aunt Irene when we visit. With deepest sympathy.

David Becker

December 29, 2012

Irene (and Ray) were two of my favorite people when I lived in Albany. I, still, often think of them. My sympathy to the VanHeel family.....you had great parents and I will keep you in my prayers.

Ann (Braegelmann) Silvers

December 28, 2012

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Dan and Jude Warneke

December 28, 2012

My prayers are with all of the family. She was always such a busy little lady. I remember when we would go to Grandma VanHeels. We loved going over to visit Aunt Irene She was always baking or going out to the barn . She was always so sweet and caring. You will never be forgotten. Memories are the best way to keep you close at heart.

Joanne Madden

December 28, 2012

our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. She will always be remembered for her love of life and sense of humor, and her love of family.

lee and mary van heel

December 28, 2012

My sympathy to all. Even though I can not come to the services, my prayers are with you.

Donna Karls

December 28, 2012

My deepest sympathy to all of you - you are in my prayers. DeNetta

DeNetta Wolbeck

December 28, 2012

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