Irene Pietz, 98, Hosmer, SD, died Friday, March 21, 2025 at her home.
Emilia Irene Geist, daughter of Mary (Jundt) and Jacob Geist, was born in McPherson County 12
miles NE of Hosmer February 9, 1927. She attended Kassel Rural School #4 and then helped at home and on
neighboring farms. Irene, as she was best known, married Alexander “Alex” Pietz on December
1, 1946 at Neudorf Reformed Church in McPherson County. They settled on the Pietz
Homestead NE of Hosmer. They were dairy farmers until Alex’s death on December 8, 1998.
Irene milked cows, raised chickens, ducks and geese, grew a huge garden, and helped with field
work all while raising six kids. In later years, Irene enjoyed quilting, embroidery, and reading.
She was well known for cooking and baking, especially kuchen, pickles, and glorified rice. Since
2003, Irene lived in Hosmer. Her daughter, Jean, moved home to help Irene care for her ailing
son, Steven, who died on December 7, 2013. Jean moved in with Irene in 2017 and cared for
her with the help of family and special neighbors. Irene continued gardening well into her 90’s.
Irene is survived by one son, Glenn Pietz of Hosmer; four daughters—Linda (Jack) Heilman of
Brandon, SD; Jean (Len) Heier and Sandra (Bruce) Flittie of Hosmer; and Marilyn (Mark) Anderson
of Nokomis, FL; 10 grandchildren-Michelle (Jon) Thielen, Amanda (Derek) VerHelst, Brett Flittie,
Jarrod Anderson, Sörine Anderson, Stephanie (Travis) Johnson, Kimberly (Sam) Poppen, Tyler
(Lois) Pietz, Logan (Kris) Pietz, and Collin Pietz; seven great grandchildren- Evie, Ryker, Brynlee,
Clara, Connor, Desmond, and Penny; sister-in-law, Virginia Geist of Alamogordo, NM; and
numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to Alex and Steven, she was preceded in death by her father, Jacob, in 1976; her
mother, Mary, on August 11, 1962; four brothers—Otto (Claudia), Markus (Esther), Sam
(Marion), and Johnny Geist; and one sister, Leah (Edwin) Knapp.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 AM, Friday, March 28, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran
Church, Hosmer, led by Pastor Janet Sandmeier. Interment follows at Bethany Cemetery,
Hosmer. Ushers will be Kathy Opp and David Eisenbeisz; Musicians Wes Schaible and
Joyce Heyne will sing “What a Day that will Be” and “Far Side Banks of Jordan”.
.
Honorary bearers will be Joanne Gisi, Shirley Torgerson, Judy Eisenbeisz, and Jeanne Dick all of
Hosmer.
Casketbearers will be Brett Flittie of Brookings, SD; Derek VerHelst of Brandt, SD; Jonathan Thielen of
Olathe, Kansas; Patrick Gisi and Kenneth Torgerson of Hosmer; and Tyler Pietz of Silver Spring,
MD.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Thursday at Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle.
Irene’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.
Services are in care of Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle.
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