Irene Antony, age 92, of Canby, MN passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30a.m. on Tuesday, August 25th at the St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo, MN. Visitation will be 5 to 7p.m. on Monday, August 24th at the Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby, MN with Rosary at 5pm and a prayer service at 7pm. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the St. Leo Catholic Cemetery. Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements.
Irene (Kronabetter) Antony was born on October 24, 1927 in Burton Township, Yellow Medicine County to Joseph & Barbara (Achartz) Kronabetter. Her siblings were Anton, Joseph, Ann, Rosie, Agnes, Barbara, Martha, Maggie and Louis.
Irene was a lifelong member of St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo where she was baptized, confirmed and married, She attended St. Leo Catholic School thru the 8th grade. She was also a member of St. Leo CCW and St. Leo Catholic Aid.
On November 21, 1944 she was united in marriage to Harold Antony at St. Leo Catholic Church. Harold and Irene spent their entire life as farmers. To this union 5 children were born. Louise, Virginia, John, Irene and Shirley.
No matter the time of day if Dad brought someone in the home, she was always able to put a meal on the table. She will be remembered for her Belgium cookies, strawberry jam, and creamed corn.
Her children remember the thousands of butchering chickens and capons that their Mom and Dad raised.
Her grandchildren and great grandchildren will always remember times spent with her playing games, going to Jackpot Bingo with her and sneaking kittens into her house when visiting.
Irene’s favorite enjoyments were putting puzzles together, playing bingo but most of all was her quilting. Every one of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and many friends received hand tied quilts from her.
Irene is survived by her children Louise (Dennis) Jelen of Canby, Virginia (Pat) Sterzinger of Ivanhoe, John (Carol) Antony of Canby, Irene (Tom) Pierce of Bruce SD, Shirley Gawerecki of Taunton. twelve grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Sister Martha Breyfogle and sister in law Marilyn Kronabetter, brothers in law Darrel Breyfogle, Harvey Wollum and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph & Barbara, Her husband Harold, son in law Vince Gawerecki, one granddaughter, and three great grandchildren. 5 sisters and 3 brothers.
