The funeral service for Irene Sophie Evers, 85, of Cottonwood, will take place on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood on Sunday, June 23, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday at church, one hour prior to the service. A private family interment will take place at Christ Lutheran Cemetery in Cottonwood at a later date.  The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Service in Echo is handling the arrangements.

Irene Sophie (Kuehn) Evers was born November 2, 1937, to William and Sophie (Kloempken) Kuehn in Redwood Falls. She was baptized November 28, 1937, and confirmed May 6, 1951, at St John’s Lutheran Church in Vesta. She attended country school in rural Vesta and in Belview. Irene cared for her mother in their home and did nanny work for several families. On May 20, 1961, she was married to Henry Evers at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Belview. They lived near Wood Lake, where she helped her husband on their farm and with their drainage surveying business. In 1993, they retired from the farm and moved to their home in Wood Lake. After their move, Irene began working for Wood Lake and Lakeview Public Schools in the cafeteria, until retiring in 2004. After Henry’s death in 2006, Irene continued to live in Wood Lake until moving to Fieldcrest in Cottonwood in January of 2018. Irene was a faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood. Irene enjoyed camping and time around the campfire, fishing, dancing, and visiting with friends and family.

Irene died on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the Prairie Home Hospice McLaughlin House in Marshall, at the age of 85.

She is survived by her daughter Donna (and Robert) Ricke, their children Alissa (Tony) Ross, Brian (Sydney) Ricke, Tanya (Isaac) Davis and Brandon Ricke; daughter Audrey (and Loren) Borning, their children Shane (Katrina) Knutson, Michelle (Jason) Wetsch, and Kendal Borning; and daughter-in-law Tammy Evers, her children Megan (Tyler) Wilson and Nicole (Mark) Laleman; great-grandchildren (Shane’s) Lily and Arya, (Alissa’s) Annie, Cecilia and James, (Brian’s) Kace and Ridgley, (Michelle’s) Sylvia and Vivian, (Tanya’s) Anthony and Serena, (Brandon’s) Damon, Tate and Alexis. Irene is also survived by her sister Diane (Harley) Asche, brother-in-law Andy Anderson, and many nieces and nephews. Irene is preceded in death by her husband Henry; son LaVern; parents and parents-in-law; brothers Orville Kuehn and Melvin Kuehn (in infancy); sisters Myrtle (and Orville) Raddatz and Evelyn Kuehn (in infancy); brother-in-law Ervin Evers, and sisters-in-law Pearl Anderson, Mildred (and Darrel) Bruss and Mary Stelter.