Irene Staiger

Irene Staiger, 97, of Jamestown, North Dakota, died peacefully in her sleep May 19, 2023 at SMP Health-Ave Maria. A celebration of her life will be held May 23, 2023 at Temple Baptist Church, Jamestown, North Dakota with visitation at 10:00 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am.  Mr. Daniel Bittle (grandson) will be officiating. Upon conclusion a lunch will be served in the church followed by the graveside at Medina Cemetery.

Irene was born August 1, 1925 on the family farm near Eureka, South Dakota to Henry and Katherine (Feiock) Trautmann. She attended a rural country school house through the eighth grade. On February 22, 1940 she committed her life to Christ followed later by water baptism April 5, 1942. Irene married Wilbert Staiger January 1, 1947 at First Baptist Church in Eureka, SD. They made their home on Wilbert’s grandparent’s (Stephan & Barbara Staiger) homestead near Medina, North Dakota and raised their three children Tim, Patty and Carol all while grain farming and raising cattle.  She filled a complimentary role to her husband concerning the work on the farm helping Wilbert in many ways through the years.  

As an active member of First Baptist Church at Medina, Irene dedicated much of her time to serving in the Women’s Missionary Fellowship and helping with the North American Baptist Conference White Cross preparation of medical supplies. She served many years as the children’s Sunday school teacher and devoted her time to every aspect of the church from cooking and cleaning, to decorating, and teaching, and always volunteered for the annual deep cleaning of Crystal Springs Camp. She truly had a heart for serving and enjoyed hosting pastors, missionaries, family, and the many friends who would stop by for a visit and meal.

Gardening, preparing delicious German meals for others, decorating for holidays and music were some things which she greatly enjoyed. But most of all she loved spending time with her family and entertaining her grandchildren. A highlight ever summer was the annual Staiger family reunion trip to Medora, ND where all the family would spend a week together.  She loved her family deeply.

In 1996, following the sudden death of her beloved husband, Wilbert in 1994, Irene moved off the farm into her home in Jamestown, North Dakota where she became an active member of Temple Baptist Church. In 2015 she moved to the Heritage Center following by a 2021 move to Ave Maria nursing home.

Irene will be lovingly remembered by her three children, Tim (Carol) Staiger of Jamestown ND, Patty (Doug) Bittle of Canmore AB Canada, Carol (Monte) Leno of Jamestown ND.  By her five grandchildren, Tiffany Menschel of West Fargo ND, Andrea Nelson of Gilbert AZ, Daniel (Kristi) Bittle of Vernon, BC Canada, Wade Bittle of Calgary AB Canada, and Rhiannon Leno of Fargo ND. And by her seven great-grand children, Mathieu and McKenzie Menschel of West Fargo ND, Carson and Parker Nelson of Gilbert AZ, Hudson, Abigail and Ellie Bittle of Vernon, BC Canada, as well as one sister, Norma Weller (nee Trautmann) of Eureka SD.

Irene was preceded in death by her beloved husband Wilbert Staiger, her parents Henry and Katherine Trautmann, her grandparents John & Margaret Feiock, and Konrad & Katherina Trautmann, by four sisters, Alma (Henry) Kirschenmann, Alyce (Edwin) Wolff, Amelia Trautmann all of Eureka, SD and Esther (Lee) Knoll of California, her seven brothers Herbert, Albert, Benny (Arley), Milbert (Evangeline) Trautmann all of Eureka, SD, Ernest (Leona) Trautmann of Fargo ND, and Mervin (Susan) of Little Belt MO.

The family wishes memorial contributions to be made to Temple Baptist Church, McCoy Ministries or Crystal Springs Camp.

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