Irene Louise Hesse, age 77, of Minneapolis, passed away on August 29, 2022 at her home. A private graveside service will be held at St. John Lutheran Cemetery. An extended family and friends celebration of Irene’s life will be scheduled at a later date.
Irene Louise Hesse was born on September 2, 1944 in Minneapolis MN. She died unexpectedly on August 29, 2022.
Irene, an avid family tree archivist, was an 11th generation American on her maternal side. Through her maternal grandmother, Jenny Wilbur, she could trace her family’s American roots to 1630 and the Winthrop Fleet.
She was an avid photographer and collected vintage cameras. She was an excellent seamstress. She was a knitter and a prolific and talented crocheter. She generously contributed to many charitable organizations. She was a reader and probably the best customer in the public library system.
Irene comes from a large extended Hesse family. Her paternal grandparents, Carl and Anna, came from Germany and eventually settled on a farm in Weber, MN. Carl and Anna had 8 children that remained in Minnesota and the families lived close enough to celebrate birthdays and holidays. She is well remembered by her cousins and their families.
Irene worked for the University of Minnesota and retired in 2004. Comments from her colleagues attest to her course editing skills and describe in detail her willingness to take on their myriad of requests.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille (Wilbur/Christiansen) Hesse, Wilhem Hesse and brother, Paul. She is survived by her brothers, Richard and Robert (Gina), nieces and nephew, Lori (Tom) Mayer, Lynda (Sam) Roberts, Brian (Courtney) Hallich, Brandon Hallich, Brea (Jay) Hansen, Brooke (Dana) Hallich, Jessica (Kurt) Eisenschenck and Jonathan (Alex) Mayer.
So sorry to hear of Irene’s passing, we always enjoyed visiting at family gatherings. My condolences to the family.
I’ve known Irene for many years, for I worked at the U of M too and live in northeast Minneapolis near her. I would always call her if I needed advice about something I was sewing or something I was repairing around the house. She always had a solution. We especially enjoyed going to thrift stores — looking for books — and she would look for cameras — and to the book sales at the St, Anthony Library. She was a smart lady and a good friend. I miss her.