Watch Irene's Funeral Service

Irene Mae Zillmer, age 94, of Ulen, MN, died on Friday, March 10, 2023, at Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen.

Irene "Nan" was born on January 2, 1929, the oldest of four children born to Jacob and Rosa (Metzger) Wolff at their home in Germania Township near Gackle, ND. She attended country school through 8 ^th grade and did her 9 ^th grade in Jamestown, ND. Irene was a true farm girl at heart, helping milk cows, shocking grain, as well as taking care of her siblings. Irene met Glenn Zillmer while shocking grain and they were married on February 8, 1948, in Gackle. While living in Gackle, Irene and Glenn owned and operated a restaurant in addition to farming. Glenn began working for the local REA and that led to powerline construction which, over the years, his employment took them all over the United States, moving 44 times. Glenn and Irene were blessed with one daughter, Shirley, followed by two sons, Glenn Richard and Greg. They had purchased a farm and put down roots in Finlayson, MN, when their oldest child, Shirley, began high school. With their love of farming, they purchased a farm near Ulen in 1973. While Glenn was away on construction jobs, Irene and their children ran the farm. Their son, Greg, later purchased the farm after they retired.

In her free time, Irene enjoyed trapping and shooting gophers, making crafts, collecting and reading cookbooks and watching the Minnesota Twins & Vikings.   She was also a Hagen town clerk for several years and served as an election judge.  Irene was a member of Maranatha Free Lutheran Church in Ulen.  In the fall of 2016, Glenn and Irene moved into Ulen into the Park View Apartments. After 71 years of marriage, Glenn passed away in October of 2019, and Irene continued living there until August 2022 when she moved in with her son, Greg and his wife, Ellen. She recently moved into the nursing home where she passed away after a brief stay.

Irene is survived by their three children: Shirley (Lee) Uldbjerg of Hutchinson, MN, Glenn "Rick" (Barb) Zillmer of Stillwater, MN, and Greg (Ellen) Zillmer of Ulen; six grandchildren: Krista (Tom) Warren, Tara (Eric) Kilian, Erika Uldbjerg, Christopher (Holly) Zillmer, Jessica Zillmer, and Megan (Ben) Schmitke; 11 great-grandchildren: Jacob and Lucas Warren, Rowan, Brenna, and Briley Kilian, Ashley, Anthony and Nicole Zillmer, and William, Isaac and Nora Schmitke; two brothers, Clarence (Della) Wolff and Stanley (Eileen) Wolff; four brothers and sisters-in-law: Joan Otto, Joyce Zillmer, Dale (Mary) Zillmer, and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn; her parents, Jacob and Rosa; and her sister and brother-in-law. Lorraine (George) Williams; and sister-in-law, Evie Wolff.

Blessed be the memory of Irene Mae Zillmer.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Maranatha Free Lutheran Church, Ulen. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 23 ^rd from 5-7 p.m. with a Prayer Service starting at 6:30 p.m. at the church and continue one hour prior to the funeral.  Burial will be held in North Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery.