Irene Louise (Schmidt) Nitzsche passed away at Showalter Villa on June 4, 2026. Irene was born June 5, 1930, in Goessel, KS to Carl and Sara (Unruh) Schmidt.  She graduated from Hesston Academy in the spring of 1949 and married Willard Nitzsche on June 5, 1949 at Alexanderwohl Church.

Following their wedding they moved to North Dakota, returning to Hesston in 1955.

Irene was a homemaker who stayed busy gardening, freezing and canning produce, and baking. She was a talented seamstress and made most of her and her children's clothes. Irene always enjoyed flowers, reading, and traveling.

Irene loved children. She often provided childcare in her home and later worked at Hesston Childcare Center. She taught preschool Sunday school at Whitestone Mennonite Church for many years.

Irene is survived by son Larry (Julie) of Idaho Falls, ID; daughters, Bonnie Ruzich (Greg Piron) of Kansas City, Kansas, and Lori Nitzsche (Sam Snyder) of Phoenix; son-in-law, Peter Schaaf of New York;  six grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren, 12 nieces and nephews; and the Keith O'Halloran family of Hesston.

She was preceded in death by her husband Willard and her daughter, Judith Schaaf.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 AM at Whitestone Mennonite Church.