Irene was born Feb. 20, 1926, in Thorndale, to Otto and Meta Niemtschk, the fifth of eight children. She was baptized on March 28, 1926, and confirmed March 17, 1940 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale. Her confirmation verse was Psalms

37 verse 5. She married her lifelong mate, Gilbert Schroeder, Feb. 16, 1947. Together they raised three children, Dennis, Galen and Julaine.

Irene was a life-long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a founding member of Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and an associate member of St. Paul LWML.

Irene was accustomed to hard work during her life, especially after her older brothers left home to serve in World War II. She helped her mother with the cooking and her father with the heavy farm chores. All this made quite an impact on her life. Then in 1947, following her marriage to Gilbert, she helped start their family business “Schroeder’s Place” that is now in its 77th year of operation. It was her idea to serve food, so she started cooking the hamburgers that she and Gilbert made popular as the “Schroeder Burger.”

Irene loved to sing gospel songs and hymns, and as a young lady she would sing at family gatherings with her musician cousins. She enjoyed listening to live music at Schroeder’s Place. Later, as she grew older and could not stay up as late, she would be serenaded with the song “Goodnight Irene” as she was leaving.

In her pastime, Irene was an avid domino and card player. She loved spending time with her siblings playing friendly but aggressive games. She played Bingo at the S.P.J.S.T. Assisted Living where she regularly won quarters that she would place in her LWML Mite Box to bring to church on Sundays.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gilbert; brothers, Erwin, Justin, Eugene and Eldon (Shorty) Niemtschk; sisters, Beate Lehman, Doris Kiesling and Elyne Lehmann; and son-inlaw, Billy Grimm.

She is survived by her sons, Dennis and wife Sallie, and Galen and wife Mary; daughter, Julaine Grimm; and sisters-in-law, Erma Niemtschk and Julia Niemtschk. Her grandchildren include Trey (Lauren) Schroeder, Walt (Jennifer) Schroeder, Scot (Kirby) Schroeder, Brandon (Bubba) Grimm, Cassie Grimm, Kristin Scot and Michael Yancy; six great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale with burial to follow in the St. Paul Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to service at 1 p.m.

Serving as pallbearers are grandsons, Trey, Walt and Scot Schroeder, Brandon Grimm; and nephews, Ronald Lehmann, Kevin Kiesling, Russell Niemtschk and Stephen Niemtschk.

Memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church General Fund.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the nurses and staff at S.P.J.S.T. Senior and Assisted Living and Hospice Austin for their care of Irene.