Irene Polnau

Irene Emily Polnau, 96, passed away Sunday, May 20, 2007. Irene was born in the Sisseton, S.D., area on Dec. 31, 1910, to Anna and Peter Polnau. Her baptism and confirmation were in Immanuel Lutheran Church. As a young girl, Irene went to country school for eight years. Then she attended Sisseton High School and graduated as Valedictorian. After two years of business school in Aberdeen, S.D., she was employed by the Native American Bureau in Sisseton from 1930-1950. Later, she moved to St. Peter, Minn., and became executive secretary to the President of the Green Giant Company from 1950-1967. Eventually she moved to Fort Collins, where she worked for the United States Department of Agriculture until 1975. After retirement Irene was involved in volunteer work at Poudre Valley Hospital, Good Samaritan Retirement Center and the Fort Collins Senior Center. She was an active member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church for more than 37 years. She loved to travel and took two trips to Europe and to many places in the U.S.. Irene was preceded in death by two sisters, Hilda Gravdahl and Elsie Bunde. Irene also had four nieces and two nephews in addition to six grandnieces and grandnephews. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 1200 S. Taft Hill Road. Burial to be in Sisseton Cemetery, S.D. Those who desire may view Mrs. Polnau from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .