Obituary of Irene Gillette

Irene Gillette, age 101 of Menno, SD passed away Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Menno, SD with Rev. Michael Hecht officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery, Menno, SD. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Irene Gillette was born on September 15, 1915 in Menno, SD to Jacob & Bertha (Haisch) Herrboldt. She was baptized November 28, 1915 at Ebenezer Reformed Church and confirmed on June 29, 1930 at Salem Reformed Church. Irene’s mother, Bertha died when she was 3 years old. Her dad then married Elsie Gall in 1920 and Elsie took over raising Irene and her sisters (Edna & Leona). Two little brothers joined the family later (Ewald & Kenneth). Irene married Woodrow Gillette on March 15, 1934 in Sioux Falls, SD. They had two children, Bonnie born in 1941 and Randy born in 1945. During the 1940’s to early 1950’s Woody and Irene operated a café in Olivet until it burned down. After that in the late 1950’s they operated a drug store in Menno. Sometime, from 1963-1965 they moved to Sioux Falls, SD. Irene was a hostess at the Palace Café. Irene loved to cook and she loved cooking for family and friends, sharing the German dishes she grew up with. Later she worked for many years at Fusfields (a women’s clothing store in downtown Sioux Falls) until she retired. Irene was never short on class and style. She was always, as she put it, “dressed to the nines”. Irene was the kindest and sweetest woman you could have ever imagined. She found only the good in people and everyone she met. When asked if she ever got mad, she would very kindly say, “well what good would that do”? “It’s so much nicer to be happy and loving”! One of Irene’s other talents was crocheting; she crocheted over 100 afghans over the years and made baby blankets in far larger numbers, for family and friends. She could literally turn “rags into riches” with her sewing talent, making anything into something remarkable. The doll clothes, blankets, pillows, and many other things she made for her grandchildren will be remembered for decades to come. Irene loved being happy, having fun and spending time with her family. Irene loved to dance; she and Woody frequented the Arkota Ballroom, Corn Palace in Mitchell, etc., dancing the night away. Listening to Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and ending the night with one of Irene’s favorite songs, “Good night Irene, Good night”. Irene is survived by her son, Randy (Joanne) Gillette of St. Paul, MN; grandchild, Michelle (Andrew) Lacko of Prior Lake, MN; great grandchildren: Cole, Ashton & Natalie; grandchildren, Greg (Ann) Gillette of Cottage Grove, MN; her grandchildren, Kristie (Curtis) Poteet of Crete, NE; great grandchildren, Alan, Hunter & Chas (Laura) Waldmann of Lincoln, NE; great great-grandson, Preston; grandchildren, Jay (Karen) Obermiller of St. Paul, NE; great grandchildren, Ein, Samantha & Alex; her brother, Kenneth (Ann) Herrboldt; niece, Peggy (Dave) Walloch of Lesterville, SD; grandniece, Kelsey Walloch; nephew, Kelly (Kay) Herrboldt of Lesterville, SD; grandniece, Tori Herrboldt and grandnephew, Trent Herrboldt. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Gillette; her daughter, Bonnie Obermiller; her parents; her sisters, Edna Handel and Leona Nusz and brother, Ewald Herrboldt.