Irma Irene Fuerstenau

Irma Fuerstenau went to be with the Lord on October 21, 2025 in Bend, Oregon at the age of 96. She was born Irma Irene Elsing on September 30, 1929 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to parents William and Johanna. Her family of origin all emigrated from Germany in the 1800’s to the United States, settling at the German Lutheran Settlement near Mansfield, South Dakota. She grew up during the Great Depression on an agricultural and dairy farm near Chelsea, South Dakota. Irma was baptized, confirmed, and married all at Trinity Lutheran Church near Mansfield. She met Maynard Fuerstenau from Sandy, Oregon on a visit to see her sister at Valparaiso University and married him in 1952. They were married for 63 years. She attended college at Oregon College of Education, taught grade school, and when she had children, became a homemaker. They raised three children and had five grandchildren. Maynard and Irma built a new home in Milwaukie, Oregon in 1959 and lived there for 14 years. When Maynard received a job transfer, the family relocated to Bend, Oregon in 1973 and built a new home there. Irma lived in Bend for the rest of her life. Her church was very important to Irma and she was active at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, Oregon, serving in many capacities over the years. She was especially involved in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, including serving one term as the Oregon District President and six years as the Christian Growth Chairperson. Volunteer work included: General Service Volunteer at St. Charles Auxiliary Hospital, AAL Share-A-Toy program, library aide, reading assistant with school children and poll worker for Deschutes County. Sewing, quilting, canning, scrapbooking her life, and playing pinochle were hobbies that Irma most enjoyed. Pleasant family memories include tent camping around Oregon, huckleberry picking in the Mt. Hood National Forest, playing board and card games, vacations to South Dakota, and attending Lutheran Retreat church camp for many years. Irma is survived by her children Diane (Pete) Reinbold, Duane (Ronda) Fuerstenau, and Daryl (Gretchen) Fuerstenau; grandchildren Kira Fuerstenau, Valerie Reinbold, Ryan Fuerstenau, and Justin (Kenzie) Fuerstenau; sister Wilma Wendt; brother Henry (Joanne) Elsing; and many other family members. She is preceded in death by her parents F.W. and Johanna Elsing, infant sister Selma, husband Maynard, brother-in-law George Wendt, and grandson Paul Reinbold. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Cobblestone Inn for their care of Irma during her last two years and Partners in Care for their hospice services. Memorial donations may be made to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, St. Louis, Missouri, or Partners in Care, Bend, Oregon. A short Burial Service will be held Friday, November 7, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Sandy Ridge Cemetery in Sandy, Oregon. The Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 10:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, Oregon (2550 NE Butler Market Rd. Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home was honored to serve the family.

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Irma Irene Fuerstenau

September 30, 1929 - October 21, 2025