Irene A. Steffensmeier, 85, formerly of Egan, died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Riverview Health Services, Flandreau. Irene was born September 30, 1927 in Owatonna, MN to Joseph and Adeline (Wesley) Dushek. She graduated from Owatonna High School and Winona State U in Winona, MN. After graduating from college, Irene took her first teaching job in Morgan, MN. Soon she married and left teaching to raise her three children. The family moved from Minnesota to Sioux Falls, SD in 1957. When her children reached school age, she returned to teaching, accepting a position at Worthing, SD. In 1960 the family relocated to Flandreau, where she began a twenty year career of teaching Senior English at Flandreau High School. In 1980, Irene took a leave of absence to join her daughter Sandra who was teaching in Germany. She soon was teaching as well at Kaiserslautern High School and later became the grade school librarian at Landstuhl Elementary School. In 1995, Irene retired after teaching a total of 35 years. She returned to her home in Egan, SD. There she enjoyed tending her flower garden, feeding the birds and volunteering at the local school.


Irene is survived by two daughters, Barbara Steffensmeier, Palm Desert, CA, Sandra (Matthew Boles) Steffensmeier, New Port Richey, FL; and one brother Eugene Dushek, Cedar Rapids, IA. She was preceded in death by her son Bruce, parents, one brother Raymond and one sister Martha Braunger.

Memorial services will be 1:00 pm Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Egan United Methodist Church with burial in Hillside Cemetery.