Irene C. Messerschmidt

Irene Catherine Messerschmidt, 93, of Glyndon, MN, passed away Friday, October 10, 2025, at Serenity Assisted Living and Memory Care in Dilworth, MN.

Irene was born March 21, 1932, in Page, ND, to Arthur and Mary (Flecik) Payne. She spent most of her life in Glyndon, MN, graduating from Glyndon High School in 1950. Irene was united in marriage to George Messerschmidt on May 28, 1952, in Dilworth, MN. They made their home in Glyndon and raised their children there. In 1971, they bought the Tastee Freez in Glyndon, which they owned and operated until George retired in 1992. The entire family worked hard during those years to bring tasty ice cream treats to the community.

Irene’s Catholic faith was very important her entire life, and she was a long-time member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Dilworth. She loved reading, ceramics, camping and crocheting blankets, which many family members and friends were blessed with as wedding gifts over the years. She cherished time spent with her family and loved hosting family dinners on the weekend, which always included her freshly baked goodies.

Irene is survived by her children, Michael (Kristine) Messerschmidt, Scottsdale, AZ, Nancy Barbee, Glyndon, MN, Debora (Neil) Blanchard, Bullhead City, AZ, Julie (Charles) Fugere, Moorhead, MN, Mary Jo (Jeff) Dahl, Fargo, ND and Lori (Troy) DeJong, Glyndon, MN; her sister, Shirley (Joseph) Zimny, Shelton, WA; sister-in-law, Clarene (Ed) Butenhoff, Moorhead, MN, sister-in-law, Geraldine Payne, Prior Lake, MN; her grandchildren, Matt (Ann) Messerschmidt, Elko, MN, Meghan (Dan) Arms, Elko, MN, Seth Messerschmidt, Minneapolis, MN, Heather (Steve) Nelson, Palermo, ND, Krista (Josh) Rector, Glyndon, MN, Rich Myers (Tressie Brazil), Fargo, ND, Brandi Rostad (Brock Franke), Fargo, ND, Ryan (Erika) Fugere, Bismarck, ND, Travis (Desirae) Fugere, Moorhead, MN, Chelsey (Adam) Sperle, Moorhead, MN, and Dylan (Andrea) DeJong, Moorhead, MN; 26 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Mary Payne; her husband, George Messerschmidt; her brother, Sherman Payne, and her sister, Betty Caye.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM, with visitation from noon to 1:00 PM, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Glyndon, MN.

The service will be livestreamed here on Irene's webpage.