"I have so many wonderful memories of the time spent with Bob and Irene! Saturday morning coffee with Irene, July and Eunice - we always ended up in Irene's kitchen with something she baked. She taught me you needed one large Wedge apple in a pie (thankfully there was still one wedge tree in the orchard). I took my first college class with Irene - art! The games of Spider with all the decks thrown on the table in cornstarch to mix them. The best home pressed apple cider I've ever had. She was a part-time mom to my boys since they spent almost as much time at their house as mine! She was a wonderful, loving lady and will be so missed. Barb Wilson Hartman"
In loving memory of
Irene L. Southwick
August 11, 1926 - July 6, 2018
Irene L. Southwick, 91, of Rochester, Minnesota died Friday, July 6, 2018 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester after a brief illness.
Irene Lorraine Weist was born in Nodine, Winona County, Minnesota on August 11, 1926. Her parents were Max and Ella (Rodenberg) Weist. She graduated from La Crosse High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1945. Irene worked in the publications department at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester from 1946 until 1949. She married Robert Melburne Southwick on June 5, 1948 in Rochester. They operated the family dairy farm in Farmington Township, Rochester, Minnesota until they retired from farming in 1983. Irene lived on the farm until her death.
She enjoyed baking, knitting, reading and crossword puzzles. The farm house was the gathering place for family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, a brother, and a granddaughter. She is survived by her five sons, Dennis (Jean) of Rochester, Daniel (Diane) of Truman, MN, Roger (Marilyn) of Lakeside, TX, Charles (Brenda) of Afton, MN and Joseph of Rochester; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Norman (Doris) Weist of Rochester.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home 5421 Royal Place Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Interment will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens.
To leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Will always remember vacations on the farm as we grew up. Uncle Bob and Aunt Irene were my favorites! Spent most of the time tagging along after Uncle Bob and down at the house with Aunt Irene and Dennis, Danny, and Roger. Loved every minute of it. "
"Will always remember the good times we spent with Irene and Bob as neighbors from 1973 until 1983. Many card games of Spider and good times in the Fall with apple cider pressing parties. Always got a bunch of morel mushrooms down in their pasture woods in the Spring that I shared with them too. Great friends! Dave Wilson, Longmont, CO"
"I was very saddened to see of the passing of Mrs. Southwick as I knew her. I have brief, but happy memories of her when we rented the house by the apple orchard. I am 50 now, but at the time I must have been in 3rd grade . I went to Jefferson Elementary and the bus picked me up right next to that old rickety shed (which I used to play in). One day I missed the bus and was in tears. My mom and stepdad had already gone to work. Teary-eyed I went over and knocked on Mr. and Mrs. Southwick's door. She took me in, hugged me, offered me some breakfast and sat me down to watch cartoons while she must have been figuring out what to do with me. She drove me in to school that day and I will never forget her kindness. I also remember a tire swing by their house that I played on quite a bit. The apple orchard was fun to play in as a kid, but also a little creepy at nighttime as my bedroom window was right next to it and I remember having vivid memories of "Bigfoot" living in the orchard! The imagination of a child! My sincere condolences to the Southwick family and friends. I hope your memories will bring you peace and comfort. ~Holly Tschudy "