Irene Prien

Irene Margaret Prien, one of twelve children of Conrad John and Katherine (Mass) Kruse, was born April 26, 1907 at the family farm northeast of Silver City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Irene attended country school near her home and then helped her parents care for her siblings, nephews, and nieces. In 1933, the family moved to a home at 501 Maple Street in Silver City. In addition to helping at home, Irene worked cleaning houses, wall papering, and shucking corn. Irene and Detlef William "Butch" Prien were married in 1940 at Rock Port, Missouri and their marriage was blessed with one son, Richard. Irene and Butch had been married for 29 years when Butch died in 1969. Following the death of Butch, Irene continued to live in her home and accepted a housekeeping position at the Glenwood State Hospital School. She continued to work until 1986 and retired after 16 years of service. Irene died at her home on Sunday, April 6, 2003 having attained the age of 95 years, 11 months, and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson John David Prien; sisters Laura Falk, Matilda DeBolt, Amanda Schoening, Hattie Malskiet, Clara Hollingsworth, Katie Kruse,...[more]

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d Emma Kruse; brothers Walter Kruse, Edward Kruse, Conrad Kruse, Jr, and John Kruse. Irene is survived by her son Richard Prien and his wife Nancy of Silver City; two granddaughters Bobbi Johnson of Silver City and Kathy Kindscher of Council Bluffs, Iowa; five great grandsons; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.