Obituary of Irene J. Adolf

Irene Jenny Adolf, 96 of Burlington passed away on All Saints Day, November 1, 2016. Born on December 5, 1919 in the German Settlement of Bethune to Lydia and Martin Weiss. She grew up as a country girl taking care of her brothers and sisters due to the early passing of her mother. Her major responsibilities at the homestead were milking the cows with her father and gardening to supply healthy vegetables and fruit to be used in family meals, in addition to laundry for the family. She walked or rode a horse to school several miles each day where she met Herman Adolf, a handsome young man who would eventually become her husband. They were married on May 2, 1941 in Herman’s parents’ home and lived with them for many years farming. They were able over the years to purchase land of their own and began a family comprised of Gary, Gale, Gwen and Glen. Much to her delight Irene was a devoted housewife and mother and spent her time helping with the farming responsibilities but also provided a warm and wonderful home for 4 active children. She was a excellent cook and baker and to this day Irene is remembered for wonderful holiday meals, harvest meals that were delivered outright to harvest crews and Herman and most of all her kuchen (German coffee cake), and homemade noodles which are family favorites. She also loved to sew and provided her daughters with full circle shirts and elaborate dresses with lots of ruffles. She was an active member of St. Paul’s sewing club for many years, sewing and sending quilts to those in need through Lutheran World Relief. In her later years, she still sewed and patched, one of her favorite activities. Her joy was living on the farm, keeping her huge yard as neat and tidy as a golf course. She loved checking on the fields and crops, riding on her golf cart with her best friend, Boots, her favorite cat and being outdoors in the wonderful Colorado sunshine. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Her faith was strong and never failing. Two days before her death, she was wanting to get ready for church although bed ridden. Hymns were sung to her by the Hospice Chaplain that brought and immediate smile to her face. Irene lived a full life and was preceded in death by her husband Herman in 1991, and daughter Gwen in 2013. She is survived by her sons Gary and wife Linda, Glen and wife Karol and daughter Gale, brothers Danny and wife Virginia, David, sister Hulda Kniss, 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.