Irene D. Weiss

A Graveside Service for Irene D. Weiss will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Kenton Birtell officiating. Masks are requested by the family.

Irene Doris (Engel) Weiss, 97 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege surrounded by her family. She was born March 25, 1924, in Grant, Nebraska, to Herman and Jennie (Stivers) Engel, the second of three children. She was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church, northwest of Grant. Irene attended school in rural District 62 in Perkins County, Nebraska and graduated from Perkins County High School in Grant in 1941.

She met her husband, Edwin Weiss, while he was serving in the United States Army. Her best friend was married to Edwin's army buddy and they introduced Irene and Edwin to each other. They were married November 3, 1944 in Fort Benning, Georgia.

After leaving the service, Irene and Edwin farmed in Perkins County for five years until they moved to their farm, north of Holdrege in 1952. They moved from the farm to their home in Holdrege in 1987. She was always busy helping on the farm, and raising their family.  While on the farm she was an active member of the local farmwives club.

Her greatest joy in life has been her family and keeping family traditions alive for future generations. She and Edwin also enjoyed square-dancing in Holdrege and traveling; whether by themselves or with family members, they traveled to many states as well as visiting relatives in Germany. She has been a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church since 1952.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edwin in 2012; son Wayne and his wife, Rosalee; sister, Dorothy Mahnken and her husband, Carl; and her brother, Dale Engel and his wife, Marilyn.

Irene leaves to celebrate her life; two sons: Don Weiss and his wife, Rita of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Marvin Weiss and his wife, Lonna of Holdrege; two daughters: JoAnn Cogil and her husband, Jim of Johnston, Iowa; and Jan Stehlik and her husband, Brent of Lincoln, Nebraska; nine grandchildren: Christy Wolcott and her husband, Andrew; Sue Fonyonga and her husband, Mark; Patty Bydalek and her husband, Bryan; Tamara Heim and her husband, Jake; Adam Stehlik; Charles Cogil; Aaron Stehlik and his wife, Bethany; Karl Weiss and his wife, Nikki; and Travis Weiss; twelve great-grandchildren: Cole Wolcott; Natalie, Braxton, and Becca Fonyonga; Spencer Bydalek and his wife, Brittany; Fletcher Bydalek; Jack, Clara, and Faith Heim; Amelia, and Hazel Weiss; Wesley Stehlik; one great-great-granddaughter, Zoey Bydalek; along with many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege. The family has requested all guests wear masks.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Irene's honor and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.