Irene Robinson

Irene Robinson, 86 of Britton and formerly of Grenville died on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at Marshall County Healthcare Center in Britton. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10;30 A.M. Thursday, October 20, 2011 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Grenville. Burial will benext to her husband, Gerald, inthe church cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday 4-6 P.M. then continuing at the church with a 7:30 P.M. Rosary. Irene Marie Kurkowski was born on Saturday, December 27, 1924 to Frank and Martha (Snaza) Kurkowski on the Kurkowski family farm near Pickeral Lake. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Josephs Catholic Church. Irene graduated from St. Josephs High School, Grenville. She then went on to acquire her teaching certificate at Northern State Teachers College, Aberdeen. Irene taught second grade at Sunnyside School for two years. She took a leave of absence to raise a family and later returned to teaching as a teachers aide. On June 8, 1948 she united in marriage to Gerald Robinson in Grenville. After their marriage they farmed near Enemy Swim Lake. In 1952, the couple bought a farm in Kosciusko Township northeast of Grenville, where they farmed dairy, beef and grain. Gerald and Irene enjoyed dancing together, especially polkas. In their later years, they would decide quickly to go fishing somewhere. Together the couple had seven children. Irene loved to sew, make beautiful quilts and dolls. She was also involved in the St. Josephs Catholic Altar Society, where she was head of several different tasks over the years. She always had a kind heart and expressed compassion towards other women in the community. Irene also had a large garden filled with a variety of fruits and vegetables to can. Irene passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at Britton, South Dakota at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 16 days. Survivors include her son Dennis Robinson, Watertown; five daughters, Gerri (Ray) Brink, McAllen, TX; Patricia (Rich) Mammola, Sioux Falls, SD; Jane (Don) Jensen, Aberdeen, SD; Laurie (James) Kegley, Branson, MO; Lisa (Tom) Wyum, Rutland, ND; one sister, Rosie Kwasniewski, Webster, SD; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Dean, one granddaughter Janel, two brothers and one sister.