Obituary of Irene Blanche Schlatter

 

Irene Blanche (Bjerke) Schlatter, beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother joined the angels on April 7, 2019.  Born in Hinkley, Minnesota on February 3, 1933 to Nels and Blanche Bjerke, she grew up surrounded by love, faith, and laughter with her eight brothers and sisters.  She graduated from Mantorville High School near Rochester, Minnesota.

 

In 1950 she married Melvin Schlatter, and they made their home in Silver Bay, Minnesota.  Irene worked as a cook at Campton Elementary School.  She was a member of the women’s circles at Sychar Lutheran Church, enjoyed the Garden Club, and she and Mel were active in the local gun club for many years.  Irene was a talented seamstress, a wonderful cook and baker, but her biggest gift was the genuine love she shared with everyone she met.

 

Preceded in death by her parents, sisters Jeannette Moffatt and Marian Keeney, brothers Albert Bjerke and Gerald Bjerke. Another sister, Dorcas Bunnell passed after Irene’s death.

 

Forever she will be missed by her children Raymond (Peg) Schlatter, Brenda Carlson, Bradley (Linda) Schlatter; surviving siblings Evelyn Taylor, Arnold (Carolyn) Bjerke, Velora (Jim) Handahl; 11 grandchildren; great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

 

Throughout Irene’s life, her kindness, grace, and endless optimism blessed us all.

 

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at the Cremation Society Funeral Home in Edina, MN on June 19, 2021 at 2:00pm, with visitation beginning at 1:00, followed by a light lunch and fellowship with family and friends.

 

A burial ceremony will be held at 3pm, July 3, 2021 at the Sawtooth Mountain Cemetery in Silver Bay.