Irene Hefenieder

Irene was born August 3, 1925, in Sheridan County Memorial hospital to Gertrude Curran Heisler and Martin Leo Heisler. She passed away at age 97 in the late hours of October 31, 2022.

She was the eldest of five children: Irene, Edward, Mary, Barbara, and Franklin. The Heisler family lived on their homestead about seven miles northeast of Raymond, MT. Life on the farm was a mixture of work and fun. Irene told stories of shucking wheat, picking rocks, hunting eggs, picnics at local lakes, and parties with family and friends. They all learned the code “FHB” when an unexpected guest showed up at mealtime: “Family, hold back.” The thirties were lean, but all were welcome at the Heisler table.

Irene started school at the age of five, attending the Gibson country school. She refused to sit with the little kids, instead sharing a desk with her older cousin, Roma Wilson. Recess was the highlight of the school day, with baseball, sledding and playing on the prairie. She graduated from Redstone High School in 1942.

After high school, she went to nurses training for the Cadet Nursing Corps, studying in Chicago, IL and Devils Lake, ND. When the war ended, she and cousin Mavis Stadstad nursed at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, living in a basement apartment on Lewis Ave. In Billings, she met and married Adam Hefenieder in March 1956. They had four children: Ann (Greg Ocker), Jane Spomer (Brent), John, and David (Joyce).

Irene was a long-time member of Little Flower Catholic Church, now Mary Queen of Peace. She was a volunteer for the annual bazaar and worked tirelessly with her sister Sacred Heart Guild members providing funeral meals, cleaning the church, and other service. She sat through endless school programs, choir concerts, basketball games, baseball games, and recreation shows at Highland Park. She made crazy quilts for all her grandchildren and many other babies. She made countless trips to Cheyenne and Fort Collins to visit the Hefenieders and Spomers for Christmas, or watch soccer matches, ice skating exhibitions, or graduations. She traveled to Arizona for Morgan Hefenieder's first communion, and to Florida for her graduation. She enjoyed talking with her broad circle of family members and church friends. She loved nothing more than her front yard parties on Memorial Day weekend.

Irene is survived by her children and her grandchildren; Kristen Ashbridge (Josh), Jessica

Rongione (Alex), Adam Hefenieder (Nicole), Morgan Hefenieder, and Alyssa Spomer (Billy Burckel); great-granddaughter Lucy Ann Hefenieder; sister Mary Baerlocher; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding her in death were her husband Adam, her parents, and siblings Edward, Barbara, and Franklin.

Donations in memory of Irene can be made to Mary Queen of Peace Church, Billings Family Service, Meals on Wheels, or the charity of your choice.

Mom, we love you and we miss you.