Irene Blauert Adams, age 98 1/2, of Frazee, MN, passed away on Friday, October 15, 2021 at the Frazee Care Center. Irene was born on April 4, 1923, in her paternal grandfather’s house in Height of Land township, the first child and only daughter of William and Jertina Mickelson Blauert.      

When she was three, the family farmhouse burned to the ground and Irene moved with her family to Shell Lake township. When her mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis and sent to Sand Beach Sanitarium, Irene and her brother Wilbert went to live with Norman and Mabel Mickelson, who were wonderful foster parents.

Irene’s elementary school years were spent at Brager School District #81.  The highlight there was a contest: anyone who could memorize the Gospel of St. John would win a free Bible Camp trip or a Bible. Irene learned the verses walking nearly two miles to and from school, and chose the Bible.

Irene graduated from the Teacher Normal Training school in 1943, with a limited certificate to teach in rural schools. Also in 1943, she went to Seattle to work in Boeing’s factories, but her love for teaching was strong and she came home to teach in District #51.

In 1949, Irene married Richard H. Adams, whom she had met in high school in Frazee. They were blessed with three children and she was a stay-at-home mom while the children were young. Taking night courses, correspondence courses and summer school classes, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Library Science in 1972, and worked as the elementary librarian in Frazee until 1990.

Irene’s interests were God and her church activities: singing in the choir, teaching R.E classes, being a Bible Study Group member for 30 years, and doing the altar flower arrangements. She was happiest when she was with Richard, her children, grandchildren and foster parents. In the evening after the dishes were done, you would find her working in one of her eleven big flower gardens.  She loved her many cats, especially Good Fortune and Tinkerbell. Irene also enjoyed reading (among her favorites were “The Door in the Wall” and “Footprints in the Sand”). She was a member of Sacred Heart Church and the Christian Mothers.

Irene is survived by two sons, Steven and Norman, daughter Mary (Dale) Ramert, grandson Andy (Dani) Ramert, granddaughter Jennifer Larson, great-grandchildren Madison and Carter, brother Wilbert (Jean) Blauert, brother-in-law Raymond (Eileen) Adams, sister-in-law Dorothy Kratzke, five godchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents: William and Jertina Blauert; husband: Richard Adams in 2002.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 PM Monday, October 25, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.  

Furey Funeral Home www.FureyFH.com