Irene Louise Adele Shinler

Irene Louise Adele Shinler of Rush City, Minnesota, passed away August 23, 2009, at the Villages of North Branch in North Branch, Minnesota. She was 94 years of age. Born in Witaskin, Alberta, Canada on September 19, 1914, she was the daughter of Edward and Helena (Scherer) Miquelon. At the age of one year, Irene moved with her family to St. Paul, Minnesota. She grew up there and attended the St. Paul schools, including Central High School. While visiting her grandparents, John and Matilda Scherer in Rush City, Irene met Maurice Shinler, whom she married in 1932. To this union four children were born, Loretta, Jeanette, Le Roy, and Dean. Irene and Maurice made their first home on a farm near Rush City. Later, they moved into town where together they owned and operated the Home Brand Grocery Store for many years. Following the sale of the business, Irene worked at the Arsenal in the Twin Cities. In 1961, Irene and Maurice moved to Monticello, Minnesota for a few years. While living there Irene was employed at Dayton’s Department Store in downtown Minneapolis. Later they moved back to the Rush City area where they lived on Rush Lake, and after their retirement they moved to a hobby farm. In 1973, Maurice passed away. Irene married Conrad Muenzer in 1975, and he passed away in 2006. Irene loved to cook and sew. Always a great cook, she enjoyed that hobby until it became necessary for her to move into an assisted living environment for the last five years of her life. Irene is survived by her children: Loretta Peterson of Phoenix, AZ, Jeanette (Dennis) Frandsen and LeRoy (Cecilia) Shinler, all of Rush City, and Dean (Joan) Shinler of Stanchfield, MN; 14 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Helena Miquelon, and her sister Joan Slater. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City with Reverend Father Xavier Thelakkott presiding. Music was provided by Nancy Sterk and Paula Belland. Casket Bearers included Kevin Shinler, Lee Peterson, Tracey Shinler, Bob Frandsen, Doug Shinler, and Greg Frandsen with the interment in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rush City.