After a long and painful illness, Irene Carole Schulz, 70, of Austin, Minn., passed away Sunday evening, March 31, 2013, surrounded by love, at her home in Austin.

Irene was born May 20, 1942, in Minneapolis, the daughter of Charles and Carrie (Vermedahl) Wood. She attended school in Blooming Prairie, Minn., graduating with the class of 1960. On Sept. 10, 1960, Irene was united in marriage to Victor E. Schulz at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church of Rural Austin. The couple made their home in the Austin area and when all of their children were in school all day, Irene went to work at St. Marks Lutheran Home. Irene was employed at St. Marks for 35 years. She worked as a nursing assistant, the baker and lastly as the receptionist until retirement. Irene enjoyed spending time with her family, especially when all of the siblings, nieces and nephews could gather together. She loved babysitting her grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing and quilting and especially loved to cook and bake. She was well known by all for her wonderful buns and cookies.

Survivors include three children, Sue (Wayne) Diez, Jane (Brad) Amdahl and Tom Schulz, all of Austin; daughter-in-law, Debbie Schulz of Austin; seven grandchildren, Sarah (Jamie) Johnson, Erica Diez, Brad (Maddy) Diez, Sam Schulz, Ben Schulz, Marty Amdahl, Brody Amdahl; two great-grandchildren, Emma Jean Diez and Chasidy Sue Johnson; sister, Iva (Bruce) Kruckeberg of Sioux Falls, S.D.; brothers, Paul (Karen Kinney) Wood of Austin, John (Julie) Wood of Austin; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Fahrman of Rochester, Helen Wassel of Rochester, Arlene (Dick) Greenthaner of Killeen, Texas; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor; son, Michael; parents, Charles and Carrie Wood; brother, Dean Wood; sister-in-law Avis Wood; mother- and father-in-law Ernest and Elsie Schulz; brothers-in-law Jack Wassel and Lowell Fahrman.

Honorary pallbearers are her grandchildren Sarah and Jamie, Erica, Brad and Maddy, Sam, Ben, Marty and Brody.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2013, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Todd Portinga, AiM officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and at the church for one hour before the service on Thursday.