Irene M. Raimer

 Irene M. Raimer, 98, of Sparta, died Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Bridge Path Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. She was born on July 12, 1919 in Sparta to Fred and Laura (Fairbanks) Heilman. She grew up in Farmers Valley. She was a member of the first graduating class of St. Patrick’s Catholic School in 1933. She graduated from Sparta High School in 1937. Irene then attended Business School in Milwaukee, WI.

On October 4, 1942, Irene married Raymond C. Raimer at the New Orleans Air Force Base Chapel. She moved to Washington D.C. while Ray was in WWII, and was employed as a secretary for the FBI.  After the war, they moved back to Sparta and raised their family.

Irene worked at Pet Milk, the Child Center, Sparta Gas Company, and assisted her husband for Raimer Realty.

Irene was an active, devoted, and faithful member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta. She was a CCD teacher and a substitute teacher at the school. She was a member of the PCCW, the Deanery, Eucharistic Ministry, and the Resurrection Choir for over 50 years. She was a Board member for the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Sparta and a member of the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary. She volunteered at St. Clare’s Mission.

Irene enjoyed music, liked to do crossword puzzles, but most of all she loved to volunteer and give back to others.    

Irene is survived by her children, Ellen Raimer of Albuquerque, NM, Edwin Raimer of Sparta, Janet (Randal) Cunitz of Norwalk, Kathryn Raimer of Cave Creek, AZ; 2 grandchildren, Daniel (Molly) Raimer of Scottsdale, AZ, and Merril Raimer-Cunitz of Madison; a great granddaughter, Layla Irene; and many dear nieces, nephews, and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond on August 29, 2006; a son, Douglas; a granddaughter, Laura; infant sister, Cecila, sister, Isabel (John) Hartley, her brothers, Rufus (Leone), Maurice (Celia), Victor (Myrtle), Vernon (Armela), and Omer (Caroline), and Ray’s sister, Alice (Howard).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Keith Kitzhaber officiating.  Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sparta.

Family and friends are invited to call from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta. There will be a rosary at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Visitation will continue from 12 noon until time of services on Monday at the church. Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, St. Clare Health Mission, the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta, and the Ecumenical Food Pantry, Sparta. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Irene’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of the Morrow Home for their dedicated care and service for over 16 years.

Irene was an absolute blessing to everyone who was privileged to cross her path in life. She had an amazing sense of humor, was extremely sweet and never complained. She always saw the best in people. To her children and grandchildren, she was the true reflection of love, kindness, and generosity. She will be incredibly missed by everyone whose lives were graced by her presence. Mom and Grandma, may you be rewarded by God for your lifetime of devotion to others.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.  

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