Irene Bathke, age 88, of Wells, MN, died Sunday, August 6, 2023.

Those who were closest to Irene will miss her sense of humor and her laughter perhaps above all else. It is a side of her that not everyone got to see, but even in the most difficult of times she was able to lighten the moment with a well placed funny observation or comment. It is a trait her children inherited and one they are relying upon now as they mourn her passing.

Her family will also miss seeing Irene in her sprawling, beautiful garden in which she raised a bounty of vegetables each summer. She took pride in watching her garden grow and flourish. The garden is where she loved to begin and end her day.  It was her place of peace.  She could spend hours keeping it in impeccable shape, plucking the tiniest weed that dared to creep in, noticing as each day passed how the strawberries and tomatoes and  and squash were ripening. And she knew just the right time to pick them from the vine at their most delicious.

She also had a way of making some of the produce from her garden and apple trees taste even better.  Everyone who knew her well will always remember her as a fantastic baker. She made it look so easy.  “I have to quick make a pie we’re having company,” was often heard around the house. But, of course, it was more than mere baking. This was her own way of bringing family and friends together. To be at the table, to talk, to laugh and to enjoy.

She set an example to her family, especially in her later years, of what it means to be resourceful, resilient, independent, and more than anything to keep going whatever obstacle has presented itself. It is how she lived each day. And that philosophy of life served her well. At 88 years of age, she lived one of the longest lives of anyone going back several generations of her family.

And family was her highest priority. She was proud of her three sons,  Gary (daughter-in-law Chris),  Doug and John, and adored her granddaughter Jodie and granddaughter-in-law Nikki, and great-grandson Onyx.

Her most painful challenge was losing her husband of 61 years, Benjamin. Now,  both of their spirits will live forever on the farm near Wells that they loved and was their home.

The family plans a private celebration of Irene’s long and giving life. And yes, they will share a funny story or two along with something really, really delicious from her garden.