Irene Bechtold

Funeral Service for Irene Bechtold, 91, of Baker, MT will be 10:30 on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at First Baptist Church in Plevna, MT with Pastor Ernie Lambright officiating. Interment will follow in the Community Union Cemetery at Plevna. Visitation will be 3:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Wednesday, January 12th at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p. m. After 91 years of a rich life, Irene Bechtold passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on January 8, 2011 at Fallon Medical Complex in Baker, MT. Irene C. Bechtold was born on October 24, 1919 in Wishek, ND to Willie & Ida Herr. In her formable years, Irene helped her father on the farm in North Dakota by working the land with horse and plow. She would later fondly reminisce of the years how she was her father?s top ?ranch hand? and that she could work the threshing machine with the best of them. Oldest of eleven children, Irene met her husband, Ernest Bechtold at a church conference in Linton, ND. After a brief long-distance courtship through letters they were wed on November 23, 1941 in Wishek. They made their home on the Bechtold Ranch ten miles south of Baker and were blessed with four children: Thomas, Viola, Kathleen, and Beryl. Irene spent most of her adult life as a homemaker and gardener. Irene assisted Ernest immensely on the ranch by milking cows from which she sold the milk and cream; she also raised and butchered many a chicken in her day. Irene particularly enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning and baking. Irene was known for her great recipes including homemade bread, dill pickles, German strudels and kuchen plus homemade noodles. Some of her recipes are kept going by her children and grandchildren which serve to live as one of her legacies. Irene was an active member of the Plevna First Baptist Church; she was always available to lend a helping hand with many of the Women?s Mission Circle projects over the years. She also belonged to the Fallon County Cowbells and the Fallon County Republican Party. In 1972, Ernest and Irene retired and moved into Baker. Later, they built a new home and moved into it in 1977. In retirement, Irene continued to grow a large garden. She canned, froze and gave away most of the produce. Irene also volunteered for many years as a 4-H leader and for the ?Pinkies?, the hospital auxiliary, which she really enjoyed. In 1979, Irene was widowed when her beloved Ernie passed away following a surgical procedure. She spent most of the following years cooking and caring for her family in her home in Baker. In 2005, Irene lost her daughter, Viola, whom she shared a birthday with to complications of diabetes. After suffering a stroke in 2004, Irene?s activities became increasingly more limited until October, 2006 at which time she was unable to live safely on her own. Irene resided for two years at St John?s Chapel Court in Billings then moved back to Baker in 2008 and spent the rest of her life in the Fallon Medical Complex. Irene is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Tom and Joey Bechtold, daughter and son-in-law, Kathy & Emil Sieler, and daughter and son-in-law Beryl & Jeff Hunt; four sisters: Alma Dockter, Joyce Barbour, Dianna Adamson and Nancy Aubin; eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest; her daughter, Viola; two brothers: Floyd and Lynn Herr; and four sisters: Marcella Bauer, Luella Woehl, Viola and Genevieve Herr. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made in Irene?s memory to either Samaritan?s Purse (www. samaritanspurse. org or P. O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607) or The American Heart Association (www. heart. org or File 30947 P. O. Box 60000, San Francisco, CA 94160).


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Burial Date: January 13, 2011
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Thursday, First Baptist Church, Plevna, MT