Irene Alice McGee, 97, died peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in her home.

Irene Alice Cummings was born Sept. 23, 1920, in Elma, Iowa, to Francis Emmett and Mary Evelyn (Harris) Cummings. She grew up on the family farm and attended country school with her four sisters and six brothers. She met the love of her life, Bernard J. McGee, at a dance in Cresco, Iowa. Rene corresponded with Bernard during the years he was enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II while she was working at a munitions factory in California and later at a company in Waterloo, Iowa. Bernard and Rene were married on May 6, 1947, in Cresco and moved to Austin, Minnesota, where Bernard pursued a career in carpentry and Rene worked at the Canton Café.

In June 1948, they welcomed their first-born, James M. McGee, and a short year later their daughter, Susan, in May 1949 and soon to follow Ann in December 1951 and Mary in December 1952.

Rene was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church. Along with the Canton Café, she also worked at the Austin Bowl. Rene was a member of the “Sewing Club” along with several friends and neighbors.

Survivors include her four children, James (Sheri) McGee, Susan Bothun, and Ann McGee, all of Austin, and Mary Huemann of Albert Lea, Minnesota; grandchildren, Carmen (Jeff) Weber of Menasha, Wisconsin, Skot (Heide) McGee of Austin, Michael J. (Theresa) Merten and Kelly (Brian) Walton of Texas, Brad (Candice) Bothun of Annapolis, Maryland, Lindsey (Kevin) Haney and Kelly and Ryan Lamont of Austin; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Burkett of Cresco; and sisters-in-law, Diane Cummings of Iowa and Doris Cummings of McIntire, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Bernard J. McGee, on Nov. 27, 2017; brothers, Donald (Bernetta), George, William (Agnes), Thomas, Richard (Marlene) and James Cummings; sisters, Marie (Dan) O’Neil, Geneva (Art) Peckham and Edna (Milton) Miller; brother-in-law, Marvin Burkett; McGee brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Leo (Olive), Paul (Angie), Emmett (Doris), and Dan McGee, Vera (Bennie) Ulwelling, Esther (Ben) Roberts, Rozella (Ruben) Skogeboe, and Lucille (Clarence) Peterson; and sons-in-law, Peter Merten, Vaughn Bothun and Stan Coughlin.

A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Mayer Funeral Home in Austin with Father James Steffes officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at Mayer Funeral Home on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, where Bernard and Irene will be laid to rest together forever on the eve of their 71st anniversary.

A special thank you to Ann McGee, Sheri McGee and Crystal Hinrichs, for their care, which allowed Bernie and Irene to remain in their home together.

Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.