Irene Elizabeth Munz

Irene Elizabeth Munz was born Nov. 19, 1943 in Garrison to Walter and Gertrude (Nyberg) Fredrickson. She was one of eight children. Her parents lived on a small piece of land where her father was a blacksmith and she tended chores on the farmstead.

Irene attended school in Garrison graduating in 1961. She worked at Elsie’s Café in Garrison along with several more waitress positions in her life including Carl’s, Rig Bar as well as bartending at Midway Lanes, VFW and Mandan Moose.

She attended Bismarck Junior College after graduation. Later in life, she attended Interstate Business College in Bismarck, graduating with a Business Management Degree.

Irene met Ora Lewis Munz in 1965 and later married Oct. 23, 1969. They had three daughters, Lorrie (Barry) Backman, Bismarck, Jackie (Paul) Abrahamson, Bismarck, Rhonda (Shane) Gross, Flasher, and step-children, John Munz and JoAnn (Ron) Butz, Wing.

Irene and Ora moved to Mandan in 1968 into the mobile home they shared and where Irene continued to live for 42 years. She shared the passion of her late husband of gardening and a nice yard to enjoy. Irene had a love for family, fishing, camping, hunting and her puppies especially Cowboy.

She enjoyed family time going to see plays and events of her grandchildren and made it a point to go to as many family events she could even with health issues she would push forward to celebrate family.

Irene was active in the Women of the Moose for 18 years where she enjoyed serving and helping others.

Irene retired in 2006 but continued to work full time hours for much of the rest of her life. She enjoyed being busy and doing for others. Her most recent job at Dan’s SuperMarket, Mandan, in the Deli was one of her favorites.

Irene leaves her family of Lorrie (Barry) Backman, Bismarck, Jackie (Paul) Abrahamson, Bismarck, Rhonda (Shane)Gross, Flasher; one stepdaughter, JoAnn(Ron) Butz, Wing; thirteen grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, Alisha (Shane) Mertz, Aaliya and Serena, Amanda (Eric) Triebold, Jasmine and Tyson, Kristiana (Nicolas) Geiger, Lukas, Harper and Maycee, Lacey (Nathaniel) Nelson, Gabbriella, Izzabella, Emma, Falicity and Kaydence, Vanessa (Jehlon) Davis, Valon, Caleb Munz, Mirranda, (special friend Chance Magilke), Skyler and Thane Gross, Tia, Chase, Bentley and Savannah Mittleider, ex-son-in-law, Scott Mittleider; two sisters, Theresia (Joe) Kerzmann, Garrison, and Linda Morris, Minn.; four brothers and three sisters-in-law, Walter (Shirleen) Fredrickson, Mandan, Leonard Fredrickson, Bismarck and Larry (Elaine) Fredrickson, Loxahatchee, Fla., and Henry (Arlona) Fredrickson, Deput, Iowa,.

Irene was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, Ora L. Munz; infant sister, Agnes Rose; parents, Walter and Gertrude Fredrickson; stepson, John Munz; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She will be deeply missed by her daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and siblings. Irene would often say during her doctor visits and visiting that she didn’t want people to suffer, didn’t want to see them cry or hear how they hurt. She would want you to celebrate her life with the memories you have with her, of her. No more tears.

To share memories of Irene and to sign the online guestbook, go to www.parkwayfuneral.com.