Irene Mae Mitts, 92 of Clermont, Iowa passed away Friday morning, June 17, 2022 at Good Samaritan Home in Postville, Iowa, where she had been a resident since February of 2020. Irene Mae, the daughter of William W. and Julia E. (Kobringer) Wedo, was born May 19, 1930 at the Postville, Hospital in Postville, Iowa. She was a longtime member of West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont. She attended country school thru the eighth grade and graduated from Clermont High School in 1948. Irene was united in marriage with Darwin “Dean” Mitts on September 9, 1950 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Clermont. The couple was blessed with eight children.
Irene worked as a Telephone Operator in Clermont right out of high school. She also worked at the Canning Factory in Elgin and the Turkey Plant in Postville. Irene and Dean were owners of the Valhalla Supper Club in Clermont from 1968 to 1972. She worked at Atwood in West Union from 1976 until she retired in 1992. After retirement she did piece work parttime for Monona Wire.
Irene was active in the Business and Professional Womens Club of Clermont and was a member of Sheehan-Olson American Legion Auxiliary. While her children were still at home, you would find Irene at all their activities, whether it was choir concerts, basketball, baseball or football games and anything else they were involved in. Her favorite pastime was crocheting. All of her grandchildren got a blanket when they were born and some of her great-grandchildren were lucky enough to get one before the strength in her hands caused her to stop crocheting.
Irene is survived by her seven children, Patty (Robert) Peretto of Whitefish, Montana, Judy (Terry) Nading of Oelwein, Iowa, Marsha (Chuck) Brainard of Clermont, Iowa, Charles (Lennis) Mitts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Robert “Bob” Mitts of Sumner, Iowa, Gerry (Tracy) Mitts of Clermont and Richard Mitts of Clermont, Iowa; eighteen grandchildren, David (Heather Greene) Peretto, Shawn (Jean) Peretto, Monty (Esther) Peretto, Jodi (Jason) Meyer, Denelle (Dave) Stokes, Jennifer (Josh) Dearborn, DeAnn Brainard Zobro, Dawn (Mike) Robinson, Jessica Nading, Joshua (Bethany) Hanson, Marcus (Faith) Mitts, Megan (Jason) Martindale, Andy (Laura) Mitts, Whitley Mitts, Zachary (Emily) Mitts, Caitlyn (Andrew) Pec, Alison Mitts (Roger Haines) and Trevor Mitts; forty great-grandchildren, Vivian, Olivia, Maya, Vinja, Nyssa and Ero Peretto, Tyler, Makaela and Jacob Meyer, Dakota, Emmalee, Hunter, Brookelynn Henry, Madilynn and Isabella Dearborn, Noah, Gavin and Autumn Stokes, Lucas and Anika Zobro, Tristan, Jaxon and Kinneck Robinson, Aiden and Brylee Mitts, Kaden, Parker, Bailey, Isaiah and Matthew Hanson, Boone and Gus Martindale, Jordan and Jamison Cannon, Clara Lansguard, Melanie, Hannah and Alice Mitts, Ezlyn Mitts and Oliver Pec; she is also survived by her sister, Elsie (Burdette) Sebastian of Postville, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dean; infant brother; son, William (twin brother of Marsha); son-in-law, Steven Owen; daughter-in-law, Susan Mitts; great granddaughter, Kara Irene Meyer; her twin sister, Eileen Olson; sister, Marilyn Schott; brothers-in-law, Lyle Olson and Arthur Schott.
There will be a Visitation held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont, Iowa.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont, Iowa.
Inurnment will follow at God’s Acres in Clermont, Iowa.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Clermont, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.