ROSALIE IHRY

Rosalie R. Ihry, 85, passed away of natural causes on Friday, March 25, 2016 while under hospice care at her residence in Eden Prairie, MN. Rosalie was born in Waukomis, OK on November 9, 1930 to Joseph and Ethel (Jarolim) Semrad. Rosalie was the second of four children with sister Evangeline and brothers Paul and Victor. The family moved to Arkansas in 1941 and then to North Dakota in 1945. She graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in Valley City and attended nursing school at Mercy Hospital. Rosalie then met Elmer “Pete” Ihry. With just one look at Pete in his military uniform, their story began! Rosalie and Pete married on October 11, 1950 at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church in Hope, ND. She enjoyed early married life on the bustling “Ihry home place,” gardening with her father-in-law John and baking and canning with her mother-in-law Theresa. She also grew to become an excellent, self-taught seamstress. For many years, Rosalie and Pete farmed in partnership with Pete’s brother Leo Ihry. The 58-year union between Rosalie and Pete gave rise to a large and loving family of 11 children, 39 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. Rosalie’s favorite pastimes were supporting her children’s school activities at nearby Luverne and Hope schools and “rubbing elbows” with her children and grandchildren, as Rosalie would say. She was always ready to help out with kitchen duties and babysitting. Rosalie made a tremendous apple pie and a chocolate cake with sour cream filling, which was made famous on KSJB radio. She never lost her passion for the nursing profession, especially as she cared for her son Kevin when he was ill as a child. Rosalie was a lifelong, faithful member of St. Agatha’s Catholic Church of Hope, where she was involved in youth religious education and Ladies Aid. She also served the community as a member of the Luverne Homemakers’ Club and as an active 4-H leader. Rosalie was a woman of remarkable faith. Her priorities were teaching her family to love the Lord and keep the Catholic faith, being openly grateful for all of her many blessings, and showing kindness when most needed. She held a loving devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rosalie could do most anything, but always made a point of giving credit to those around her. She had a humble, charitable heart. For these reasons and so many others, Rosalie and Pete were honored in their lifetime as being “Parents of the Year” for the state of ND. Upon retirement, Rosalie and Pete moved to Hope, ND. In her advanced years, Rosalie left the Hope area for Valley City and later to the Minneapolis area, where she was able to receive the care she required. Rosalie is survived by nine children and their spouses: Thomas’ wife Dawn (Crum) Ihry of Valley City; Timothy (Diane Nugent) Ihry of Papillion, NE; Lynne (Jon) Hesse of Minneapolis, MN; Rachel (Joel) Degenstein of the Woodlands, TX; Patricia (James) Kirchner of La Crosse, WI; Kevin (Shari Sussex) Ihry of Fargo, ND; Karen (Mark) Gould of Oconomowoc, WI; John (Peggy Visby) Ihry of Hope; Sarah (Richard) Heuer of Lester Prairie, MN; and Beth Ihry (Chris Franken) of Edina, MN; 39 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brother Victor Semrad; sister Evangeline Gaspers; sisters-in-law Margaret Gunderson, Iris Ihry, and Connie Ihry; brother-in-law Robert Ihry; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be tenderly missed by family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, her sons Paul and Thomas, her parents Joseph and Ethel Semrad, her in-laws John and Theresa (Gehrens) Ihry, and her brother Paul Semrad. The family is tremendously grateful to those who cared for our Mom and Grandma. To those who knew Rosalie, and to those who were there during her final days, please accept a sincere thank you. In her words, “God bless you.” Rosalie lived her whole life to prepare for this moment, of passing through death to the new life promised in eternity. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church in Hope, ND, with Reverend Arogyaiah Gadagotti, celebrant. Visitation will be held from 2-4 PM on Saturday, April 2 at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church. On Friday, April 8 at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church, the Holy Rosary will be said at 6:15 PM, followed by a vigil prayer service at 6:30 PM. Interment will be in the Hope Cemetery