Irene Marie (Schweitzer) Senger went home to the Lord on May 17, 2026. 

A funeral service will be held at 9:30 AM on Thursday, May 21, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave Bismarck, ND.

Irene will be laid to rest at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

Born on May 2, 1930, Irene was the second child of Anton and Barbara Schweitzer. She was baptized in Zeeland and began her education in Strasburg before her family moved to Bismarck. She completed grade school in McKenzie and graduated from Saint Mary’s High School. Irene cherished her childhood memories, especially those spent with her brother John and her many Schweitzer cousins.

In 1948, Irene began working for Bell Telephone as a local, long-distance, and information operator, a position she held until 1963. A spirited young woman, she traveled extensively across the country, played harmonica and drums in a band, and was an avid softball player, fondly remembering her coach Clem Kelly and the camaraderie of her team.

As a young girl in Strasburg, Irene met a boy named Bill while playing in the WPA ditches. Years later, after living in Washington and Oregon, she reunited with him in Bismarck. Their friendship blossomed into love, and after a six-month courtship, she married William Senger on November 30, 1963.

Together, Irene and Bill built a life full of adventure and hard work. They opened the Beer Corral, later expanding into the Corral Bar, which they operated until their retirement in 1992. They shared a love for travel, exploring states like Alaska, California, and Nevada, and enjoyed many cruises. Their favorite pastimes included fishing, hunting, camping with their children, and tending to their garden every year.

Irene was a proud member of the Eagles Women’s Auxiliary for over 55 years and a devoted parishioner of Corpus Christi Church. Her compassion and kindness touched everyone she met. She was a loyal friend, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and a source of strength and joy to those around her.

Irene lived out her faith in God by loving others. She loved with her whole heart, and knowing her made you a better person. She was a fierce pinochle player and an outstanding cook.

Irene’s family was everything to her, and she spent as much time as she could with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was one of the best homemakers and cooks. She tried to make it a point that at least once a week that the family would all gather for a family dinner. She always had perfectly delicious food ready to serve and made it with love. Her house was always open to everyone, she especially enjoyed all her relatives and friends who would just stop by for a visit. She would welcome everyone with her beautiful smile and amazing hugs.

Irene is survived by her daughter and son-in-law; Kim and Steve Ellison Bismarck, along with her grandchildren, Shannon and Jake Willer, Shelby Pfaff, Kayla Ellison, and Cole Ellison. She is also survived by her beloved great grandchildren; Jaxon, Annabel, Aurora, Jameson, and Lilly; her nieces and nephews, and her sister in law Arlene Keller, and her best friend Barbara Ellison.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Bill, her daughter Salina Pfaff, parents Anton and Barbara Schweitzer, her mother and father-in-law Joseph and Theresa Senger, her brother and sister in law John and Clara Schweitzer; brother and sister in laws Elizabeth and Charlie Burdette, Helen Senger, Joseph Senger, Thomas Senger, John and Clara Senger, Cecelia Senger, Anne Klien, Donna and Ed Holta, Mike and Geri Senger, Pius Keller and her best friends Marie Miller, Peggy Berg, and Delores Krause.

Irene spent the final chapter of her life at St. Gabriel’s Community, where she lived since 2018. The love, compassion, and professional care she received there were nothing short of extraordinary. The staff at St. Gabriel’s became an extension of our family—angels on this earth—who treated Irene with dignity, tenderness, and unwavering kindness and love every single day. Their gentle presence and skilled hands brought comfort not only to Irene, but to all of us who loved her.

The void left by Irene’s passing is profound. Her love, laughter, and unwavering faith will continue to guide us. Though we will miss her deeply, we find comfort in knowing she is now one of God’s angels, watching over us from heaven.