Irene Friesz

Irene Friesz, 92, of Mandan, went home to her Heavenly Father March 7, 2021, at Edgewood Vista, Mandan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, March 12, 2021, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Mandan, ND with Rev. Fred Harvey as celebrant. Burial to follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 11, 2021, from 5:00-6:45 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary at 6:45 PM and a Vigil at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Irene was born January 5, 1929, to Peter and Katherine (Gerhardt) Mildenberger in Fallon, ND. She grew up on the family farm with her three brothers. She graduated from Mandan High in 1947. She went on to get a teaching degree from Dickinson College. She taught school for about four years. She married the love of her life, Raymond Friesz, on October 17, 1950, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Timmer, ND. Together they had eight children.

In her early years, Irene, liked to sew dresses for her girls, vegetable gardening, flowers, and crocheting. She always had fresh buns or cookies in the house. She was the “Cookie Grandma” and loved spending time with her children and grandkids.

Irene worked at Heartview Foundation for many years. She volunteered her time at AID, Inc. in Mandan. She also volunteered at Christ the King Catholic Church, where she was a longtime member. She was also a member of the Christian Mothers.

Irene will be deeply missed by her four sons, Rodney (Mary Ann), Mike (Nancy), Gary (Laurie), all of Mandan, Scott (friend, Myrna), Ft. Worth, TX; four daughters, Sandra (Steven) McCartney, Casa Grande, AZ, Mary (Rodney) Hatzenbihler, Center, ND, Jolene (Steve) Klein, Des Moines, Washington, Michelle, Bismarck; 20 grandchildren; many great and great-great grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Roy (Jeanette) Friesz, Jim (Judy) Friesz; sisters-in-law, Loretta (Harlan) Loeb, Luella Collins.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Steven, Arthur, Wilbur Mildenberger and their wives.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Christ the King Church or School.