Irene Messmer
May 16, 1919 - February 13, 2018
Obituary
(Written by Irene) I was born in Plains, Montana on May 16, 1919, the daughter of Frank & Ann (Toennis) Nuxoll. Mother and my older 4 year old brother, Walter, were on their way to relations in Cottonwood, Idaho, when I decided to be born in Montana. Dad, Mom, Walter and I lived in the Stacey Community. Walter and I rode 3 ½ or 4 miles horseback to either the Glenn School in Custer County or the North Stacey School in Powder River County. For high school I went to St. Labre Mission at Ashland for 3 years and when it was closed to white kids, I graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City in 1938. After being out of school and during WWII, neighbors came for me to teach for 2 years in the neighborhood (without going to college). After that I went to college in summer and taught rural schools and eventually got a B.S. in education and almost one in Special Education. The 17 years in 9 different schools (they closed when they ran out of kids) was very rewarding and I still hear from 4 or 5 of my students at Christmas. How wonderful!! In 1940 I was married for a short time to Frank Messmer. In February 1941 I underwent serious back surgery as a result of Tuberculosis. My hobbies and interests have been many: photography, square dancing, hiking in the mountains, many different collections and traveling. My travels included three trips to Europe, 2 to Alaska, 1 to Mexico, to the northwest viewing the autumn colors, Columbia River and the Southwest. I also attended many national Square Dance Conventions. On February 13, 2018 I finished making mischief.
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Memories
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Alene C Malloy
Other •
My memories of Irene are hiking to Mystic Lake, being a best friend to my mother Irene Smith Schiller, going out to various restaurants to eat, and just enjoying her telling us about the era in which she lived. She always had a positive attitude and made the best of every situation.
SJ
Sonia Schiller Jansen
Other •
Irene was a good friend to my whole family. She grew up near Stacey and Volburg not far from where my mother (also Irene ), grew up. They went to high school at St. Labre together and were friends for the rest of their lives. She had a fun loving attitude and loved gardening,, the mountains, and square dancing with her partner, Gerald. She traveled all over and really enjoyed life. She taught country school and loved her students. My sister and I enjoyed all the history she had to share about the era and people she knew. She will be greatly missed. Sonia Schiller Jansen and family
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Theresa Ball
Other •
Irene was a fun woman who made the effort to live life fully while she still lived. She had great stories of teaching students and teaching herself through one-room school houses over the years. She also loved to talk about her square-dancing days. I enjoyed her very much, and I am happy for her. Theresa Ball
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Dallas Roots
Other •
Irene and Gerald were friends in square dancing. They helped in making square dancing the state dance, were mentors in the half pears singles square dance club in Billings which closed when most of the dancers were married. As a 12 to 13 year old kid, I remember Dad, Alex Roots, combining grain at the Nuxoll farm. Dallas Roots
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Charlotta Eaton
Other •
We knew Irene because she was the sister-in-law of Aunt Jane Nuxoll, wife of Walt Nuxoll. We always respected her because she had experienced so much in life. We had visited the place by Volberg south of Miles City and knew what kind of country she grew up in and that added to the respect. She had a good sense of humor up to the end, even though she was quite ill for parts of her life. She did not let that get her down. Marilyn Martin, Lottie Eaton, Priscilla Wrobetz, Connie Sumida
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Laurie Weigel
Other •
We lived next door to Irene for about 6 years. She was such a nice lady. Such a character. Loved to visit with her and her doggies...all named Jeannie. Loved to hear her stories about her days growing up, teaching, and square dancing. She was so very kind. We will miss her. Rich and Laurie Weigel