Irene Cordts
June 19, 1911 ~ May 18, 2016
Irene A. Cordts, 104, of Faulkton, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at the Faulkton Senior Living.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 23, 2016, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Faulkton, SD with Fr. Christopher Hughes officiating. Burial followed in St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery. A wake service was held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 22, 2016, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Faulkton, with visitation one hour prior.
Irene Anna Huss, daughter of Theodore and Anna (Klein) Huss, was born on a farm southeast of Faulkton (4 ½ miles north of Orient) on June 19, 1911. She always felt privileged to be delivered by Dr. Abbie Ann Jarvis, one of the first pioneer women doctors of South Dakota. Irene attended St. Mary’s School, Zell for the first seven years, then the Orient School for three years and graduated from Notre Dame Academy High School, Mitchell in 1929. After one year at Notre Dame Junior College, she taught country schools in Arcade and LaFoon townships for eight years. From 1938 to 1946, she was clerk in the Faulk County Agriculture Adjustment Administration Office in the courthouse.
Irene compiled the histories of Veteran’s names on the Legion Hall and did extensive research for the cemetery and other history of Faulk County. She was on the committee to raise the $50,000 for the Perpetual Care at the Cemetery and donated the flags and crucifixion statues.
On May 17, 1943, she married Homer Cordts at St. Joseph’s Rectory, Orient with Rev. Father John A. Krebs officiating. They made their home in the Turner Apartments for six years and moved into their new home at 212 12th Ave S on August 1, 1949. Irene moved to the Faulkton Healthcare in 2009.
She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church and Altar Society, Faulkton Area Arts Council, Faulk County Historical Society, SD Historical Society in Pierre, Crazy Horse Grass Roots Club, SD Art Museum in Brookings, SD Hall of Fame in Chamberlain, SD State Poetry Society in Sioux Falls, SD Century Club, and Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, NY. Irene enjoyed her Christian fellowship with the Koinonia group.
For her 100th birthday she was presented a key to the City of Faulkton, the SD Healthcare Association and KELO-LAND TV plaques, and a Proclamation of Irene Cordts Day in Faulkton from Mayor Tim Bormann. Irene is only the second 100 year old parishioner from St. Thomas parish and the first Huss/Klein relative to live to be 100 years old.
Surviving relatives include two brothers: Leo (Connie) Huss and Kenneth (Lorraine) Huss; sister-in-law, Dorothy Huss; brother-in-law, Eugene Bowar all of Faulkton; and sister-in-law, Bernadine Cordts of Huron; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Cordts on December 8, 1974; parents; three sisters: Marcella O’Meara, Verna Sturdevant, Maurine (Billie) Bowar; and three brothers: Clarence, Cyril, and Raymond Huss.
The family would like to thank all the caregivers and staff at Faulkton Senior Living for the loving care Irene received while living there.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are directed to Faulkton Cemetery Association Perpetual Care, Faulk County Historical Society, Faulkton American Legion or the Irene Huss Cordts Endowment she established with the Eastern SD Catholic Foundation to serve parish ministries and seminarian education.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Irene’s arrangements.
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Love always Joyce barrows & Cheyenne
A grand lady that will be missed by many.
Irene was a very spiritual lady who will be greatly missed. I thought of her often, every time I looked at the beautiful large rosary that she made for me several years ago. Prayers and sympathy to all her family. Sharon and Bob Taylor
So sorry for your loss, Bob and Margie. However we are happy to know you were able to spend time with your dear aunt.
So sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolence and deepest sympathy. It is never easy losing a loved one, no matter what the age, its always too soon May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. (Psalm 116:15)
Faulkton has lost a lady who was beautiful both inside and out! Our prayers and sympathy to the family.
We are so sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort, Jehovah, look after you during this most difficult time. In the book of Revelation 21:3,4 there is a beautiful promise he gives where he says that soon will come a time when death, mourning, and tears will be no more. May thoughts and scriptures like this be of comfort to you during this most difficult time.
Am grateful to this blessed lady, Irene Cordts, for the many kindnesses she has shown to my family, especially to my parents Mr. and Mrs. Carl E. Anderson and brother Father Terry R. Anderson. May she rest and peace and may the Lord reward her a thousand-fold.
I send my sympathies for the loss of your dear “Miss Irene”. We shared many years of joyful exchanges and wonderful conversations about art and history. I will remember her always for her abiding interest in all things Native American and her unending desire to help the downtrodden and less fortunate. She will be forever in our hearts. Warmly, Jeri B. Lemke
I feel very lucky to have known Irene for most of my life. She was a treasure.
Irene was a remarkable woman. I always enjoyed the opportunity to visit with her on my numerous trips to Faulkton; her conversations about her interests are memorable.
My prayers are with you.
Just thinking about Irene. I interviewed Irene for a little history booklet I did.