Irene Benz

A funeral Mass for Irene Benz, 77, of New England, will be 10:00 a. m. , Monday, April 27, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England with Father Gary Benz celebrating. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation for Irene will be 4:00 p. m. to 7:00 p. m. , Sunday, April 26th at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with a rosary and vigil service being held at 6:00 p. m. Irene passed away Thursday, April 23, 2015 at St. Vincent’s Continuing Care Center in Bismarck. Irene was born July 7, 1937 in DeSart, ND, the daughter of Dominic and Mary Ann (Kuntz) Urlacher. Growing up she attended Kennedy Country School for several years before going to New England St. Mary’s where she graduated from high school in 1955. Irene went to work at Red Owl grocery store in New England. On February 19, 1957, Irene married Benedict V. Benz at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England. They were blessed with ten children, Linda, Renee, Cheryl, Keith, Janel, Brian, Jolene, Gary, Curtis and Joyce. Together they operated a dairy farm and raised their family west of New England. As the children got older, Irene began working off the farm. She worked for ASCS, Soil Conservation, as a bookkeeper for St. Mary’s School and B & D Rentals. Irene was involved in her community as a member of St. Mary’s Alter Guild, Legion Auxiliary, Faith Formation teacher, 4-H leader, St. Pius Verein, and also as clerk/treasurer of Moord Township of Slope County. Irene was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and she loved the Mass and the Holy Eucharist. She had a great love for Jesus and the church and she had a beautiful devotion to the rosary and the Mother of Perpetual Help. Irene enjoyed gardening, baking, sewing, embroidery, quilting, cooking German food, playing cards, and entertaining guests. She especially cherished all the time she spent with her grandkids. Irene is survived by her husband, Benedict; children, Linda (Art) Meschke of Dickinson, Renee (Steve) Diekman of Fargo, Cheryl (Jerry) Mellmer of New England, Keith (Bonnie) Benz, Janel (Tom) Spaeth, Brian (Jamie) Benz, Jolene (Dave) German all of Bismarck, Fr. Gary Benz of Stanley, Curtis Benz of Bismarck, Joyce (Todd) Decker of Dickinson; 25 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; brother, John (Eleanor) Urlacher of Dickinson; sisters, Betty (Ed) Barth of Dickinson and Luella Emmil of Fargo. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dominic and Mary Ann Urlacher; in-laws, Jack and Frances Benz; sisters-in-law, Marge Benz, Marge Peters, Veronica Benz and Frances Urlacher.


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Burial Date: April 27, 2015
Church St. Mary's Catholic Church

Funeral Mass: Monday; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England, ND