Irene Beuch, a life-long resident of Lydia, was called home to the Lord at the age of 97 on July 30, 2017. The Beuch family will greet friends on Friday, August 4, 2017 from 4-7PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 11AM with a visitation 1-hour prior at Lydia Zion United Methodist Church, 1026 E 205th St, Jordan. Irene will be laid to rest at Concord Hill Cemetery. Pastor Larry Kasten will preside.
On October 27, 1919 at the family farm in Cedar Lake Township, parents Henry and Emma (Borchardt) Schesso, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Irene Pearl Schesso. She was the fifth of eight children. Irene’s childhood had many hardships, from living during the Great Depression to the death of her father.
Regardless, Irene had a work ethic and faith that allowed her to persist. She helped raise her younger siblings, helped with household chores, and worked on the farm. Along with her siblings, Irene attended the school house near Fish Lake. Despite only having school through 8th grade, Irene was intelligent and self-taught.
A new chapter in Irene’s life began on October 10, 1940 at Lydia Zion United Methodist when Irene exchanged wedding vows with Melvin Beuch. After the wedding, the young couple moved into the house their families helped construct—it didn’t have running water and was small, but they made do. This farm on the hill is where they raised their family before she and Melvin built again and moved into the house in Lydia.
On the farm, Irene and the children would raise chickens, grow raspberries, strawberries, and a large vegetable garden. As an avid gardener, she insisted they grow more than they needed. Irene would share the extra produce with the mail carriers, her doctor, the neighbors, and her friends. This generosity stemmed from Irene’s deep faith—she believed in giving to others because all that she had was a gift from God.
Irene’s life was enriched by her family, friends, and community. She loved babysitting her grandchildren and hosting for the holidays. She didn’t care if a person couldn’t visit for long, she just cared that they came. If someone couldn’t visit, Irene was sure to give them a phone call to check-in.
Irene was a proud member of the Lydia Community Club and Lydia Zion United Methodist Church. If there was one thing she loved sharing more than her vegetables, it was her faith. Through the American Bible Society, Irene helped deliver Bibles to others. In her later years, Irene was physically unable to attend church, but always stayed updated on church events and prayer requests.
Throughout the Lydia area, Irene was known for her cakes. In 1970 Irene discovered her talent for cakes after attending a cake decorating class at the Shakopee High School. With hard work, she transformed her passion into a career. Until 4 years ago, she was still making cakes for all occasions.
Irene was a patient, caring woman whose legacy of faith and compassion will live on in her daughters, Lois (John) Pasek, Della Volek; son, Marlin (Martha) Beuch; 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; brother, Clarence (Delores) Schesso; sister-in-law, Lorraine Schesso.
Irene is reunited in Heaven with her husband of 77 years, Melvin Beuch; son-in-law, James Volek III; granddaughter-in-law, Kristal Volek; great-grandson, Danny Curry; siblings, Everett Schesso, Lawrence (Phyllis) Schesso, Herman Schesso, Evelyn (Arnie) Oldenburg, Arthur (Angeline) Schesso, and August (Marie) Schesso.
The Beuch family is proudly cared for by the staff of Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home & Cremation.
