Mary "Irene" Strouth

Ashton, Iowa

     Irene Strouth, age 92, of Ashton, Iowa, died on Monday, January 1, 2024, at the Country View Manor in Sibley, IA.

     Visitation will be Friday, January 5th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton.  There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m.

     Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, IA, with Father Siby Punnoose as celebrant.

     Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Ashton.

     Arrangements are in the care of the Jurrens Funeral Home of Ashton, IA.

     Mary Irene Strouth was born on December 15, 1931, in Alba Township, Jackson County, Minnesota, the daughter of Frank and Edith (Benner) Thiner.  She graduated from Worthington High School in 1949. She worked at the Extension Office in Sibley.

     On June 4, 1951, she was united in marriage to James Strouth.  To this union eight children were born, Clara, Jan, Pete, Donna, Larry, Theresa, Bonnie, and Mary.

     They dedicated many years raising their family on the family farm near Ashton, and upon retiring they moved into town. They enjoyed golfing with friends and winter vacations in Arizona. Irene spent her life as a great caregiver and was always concerned with the comfort and needs of others. Jim passed away on March 31, 2010. Irene later moved to the Christian Retirement Home in Sheldon and enjoyed the many friends she found there. A couple of years later she moved to Country View Manor in Sibley. 

    She was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, where she was active with the Catholic Daughters, and the Women’s Guild.  She was also a member of the Ashton American Legion Auxiliary.

     Irene’s hobbies included sewing, knitting, crocheting, playing cards, and doing puzzles.

     Left to cherish her memory are her eight children, Clara (Jim) Miller of Brandon, SD, Jan (Bob) Iedema of Ashton, IA, Pete Strouth (Judy Ulrich) of Ashton, IA, Donna Johnson of Ashton, IA, Larry Strouth of Ashton, IA, Theresa Tremmel (Mark Ishmael) of Yankton, SD, Bonnie (Walt) Wiersma of Ashton, IA, and Mary (Kelly) Johnson of Ashton, IA; nineteen grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren; seven siblings, Francis Thiner, Everett Thiner, Leonard Thiner, Joe Thiner, Roger Thiner, Eleanor Sether, and Hazel Sundstrom; nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

     She was preceded in death by her husband, James Strouth; parents, Frank, and Edith Thiner; six siblings, Philip, John, Laura, Ralph, Catherine, and Charlie; two grandsons, Jeremy Miller, and Shawn Iedema; great-granddaughter, Emery Kooima; and son-in-law, Mike Johnson.