Irene Niessink

A live webcast of Irene's funeral service will be available at arcluverne.org.

IRENE LENA ANNA NIESSINK was born to Henry and Kathryn [Haack] Serck on June 27, 1917 on the family farm between Inwood and Alvord, Iowa where she was raised and attended country school. Following her education she remained living on the farm helping her family. On March 25, 1936 Irene was united in marriage to Elmer Wilke in Alvord, making their residence on a farm near Inwood, Iowa. To this union, four children were born, Darlene, Dale, Roger and Lyle. On May 18, 1950, Elmer preceded Irene in death. In January of 1951, she and her children moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa, where she became employed at the J.C. Penny store from 1957 to 1964. On September 5, 1964 she was united in marriage to Gerrit Niessink in Luverne. The two made their residence here until November 18, 1990, when Gerrit preceded her in death. Irene remained at their home in Luverne for several years before moving to the Oaks and Poplar Creek senior living facilities. On Friday, December 15, 2017 Irene died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne at the age of 100 years, five months and 18 days.

Irene was baptized in 1917 and confirmed in 1931 at the Lutheran church in Alvord. She was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne, where she served on Circle. Irene loved visiting with both her friends and family.

She is lovingly remembered by her three children, Darlene Schwarzkopf of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dale Wilke and his wife Lila of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Lyle Wilke of Prairie Village, Kansas; three step-children, Hymen Niessink and his wife Mary of Sioux City, Iowa, Ronald Niessink and his wife Mary of Luverne, and Marlene Aukes of Steen, Minnesota; seven grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and 22 step-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild and four step-great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Elmer Wilke and Gerrit Niessink; parents, Henry and Kathryn; son, Roger Wilke; brother, Elmer Serck; daughter-in-law, Ann Wilke; sister-in-law, Gladys Serck; step-children-in-law, Harley Aukes and Barb Niessink; and step-grandson, Ronald Marr.

Memorials are preferred to the American Reformed Church in Luverne.