Steinhilber – Mrs. Irene Emma, age 71 late of Shellbrook passed away peacefully on Thursday April 23, 2009. Irene was born on May 29, 1937 in Brightholme, Sk, and was raised there with her five brothers and sisters. She attended Mount Teviot School until their family moved to their farm in Shellbrook where she attended the Parkview School. Irene developed her strong work ethic and her commitment to family while
growing up on the farm working hard milking cows and cooking. No matter how big or small the problem or job, Irene was always willing to drop her mountain of work to help family or friends. Growing up is when Irene began her lifelong relationship with God. Church was always very important to Irene and it was through the church that she met her husband Martin. Irene and Martin met at the Luther League in Brightholme where a courtship followed, and they married in November of 1956 in Shellbrook. In 1959 their first child Alan was born and a year later Denice was born. Shortly after Irene and Martin moved to a new home close to Irene’s parents. This would become the house that Martin would build his airplanes and boats in and Irene could more easily take care of her parents. Even though they lived in town Irene did not want her children to miss out on country life, so for fun she added a few chickens and geese in the yard. During the 1960’s as Irene was busy working, raising two kids and helping her parents, a 14 year old boy named Reg showed up at their door looking for a foster home, and at that point Reg became a part of the family. Irene and Martin treated him like he was one of their own.
In 1967 Irene lost her mother suddenly and this death left a large void in the family and in Irene’s life. She then took on the role of taking care of her father and keeping the family together, as her mom did. Martin and Irene’s third child Lori was born in 1968 and Monalee was born 3 years later. It was then that the family moved out to an acreage in the country. The yard was huge and so was Irene’s garden, which was always kept looking perfect. With a huge yard there was lots of room for Irene to have fun giving all kinds of tractor, sled, and lawnmower rides to the grandchildren, which leads us to Irene’s greatest joy in her life – her grandchildren. Anyone who knows Irene knows that she had a magic touch with babies, and kids absolutely loved her.
Another one of Irene’s titles was a painter and she started working for the family construction company in the 80’s. Irene was a perfectionist and getting up at 4:00 a.m to get a set of cupboards painted was not out of the ordinary. Taking care of the Brightholme Cemetery was something Irene was also passionate about; she started the Brightholme Cemetery Fund so that the cemetery would always have the funds to be taken care of even after she was gone. Whether it was singing in church at Christmas time or singing in the church choir, music was always a part of Irene’s life. If she was not joining in playing her guitar she was teaching all of her children to sing in German. Irene was a caring, compassionate and an unselfish person who spent her life caring and giving to others. We love you with all of our hearts and we will truly miss you Mom, though now you’re at peace and back home with God and your hero –Dad. Irene leaves to mourn her children Alan (Debbie) Steinhilber of Spiritwood and their children Ryan, Lisa and Amy; Denice (Larry) Cooper of Prince Albert and their children Jeff, Patrick and Sarah; Lori (Bruce) Nelson of Prince Albert and their children Kalli and Lucas; Monalee (Ken) Hamilton of Prince Albert and their son Alexander, her brothers Max Benke of Edmonton, Alfred (Maureen) Sommerfeld of High River, AB, Armien Sommerfeld of Shellbrook, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Irene was predeceased by her husband Martin Steinhilber, her parents Emma and Ludwig Sommerfeld, her sister Irma Sommerfeld, her infant sisters Linda and Brunhilde, her brother Edwin Sommerfeld, her mother and father in-law Willi and Luise Steinhilber, her brother’s in-law and sister’s in-law Rita Sommerfeld, Otto Sommerfeld, Waltrout Benke, Rosel Heise, and Shirley Sommerfeld. The Funeral Service for Irene took place on Tuesday April 27, 2009 in St.John’s Lutheran Church in Shellbrook with Pastor Doug Schmirler as officiant. The eulogists were Alan and Monalee, organist was Nicole Philip, pallbearers were Larry Cooper, Bruce Nelson, Ken Hamilton, Ryan Steinhilber, Jeff Cooper, and Patrick Cooper. Memorial donations can be made to St.John’s Lutheran Church or The Alzheimer Society of Canada. Interment was in the Brightholme Cemetery. Email condolences sent to www.beaulacfuneralhome.com will be forwarded to the family. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Beau”Lac” Funeral Home 747-2828.