Kathryn L. Ireland

Kathryn L. Ireland, age 96, of Brookings, formerly of Mankato, MN, returned to her heavenly home surrounded by family on Friday, October 7, 2022 at the Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings, SD.

Private family services will be held in Mankato, MN. Northview – North Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Kathryn Lorraine, the daughter of Clayton and Luverne (Thoma) Pierce, was born on October 18, 1925 on a family farm near Beauford. She attended United Bretheran Church in Beauford.  Kathryn achieved 3 plus years of schooling at Mankato State Teacher’s College and was employed by International Harvester, Bretts and the Census Bureau. She met Dewyane Ireland on a blind date and were later married on September 27, 1947. They began farming near Good Thunder and went on to have 6 children including a set of twins. She managed the farm and family while Dewyane’s construction company took him out of town. She was an avid seamstress and loved sewing outfits for the kids. She baked the best cream pies and candied apples for holidays. She was a soloist for countless weddings, funerals and performed with the Mankato Glee Club for 20 years.  She was also a 4-H mentor and a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She taught her grandchildren to play piano and do various sewing projects. She loved dancing with Dewyane and their friends at the Kato Ballroom, summer weekends spent with the family and friends at Duck Lake, trucking alongside her husband, and attending all the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s school events even into her mid 90’s. She loved challenging puzzles while helping other residents with theirs and rarely missed the wine and bingo events at the wonderful Neighborhoods at Brookview. 

She is survived by her children: Pam (David) Schubbe, Dennis (Carol) Ireland, Tom (Kathy) Ireland, Douglas (Deb) Ireland, Diana (Jerry) Page, Curt (Joyce) Ireland; grandchildren:  Jinny (Michael) Struck, Dan Ireland, Nathan (Beth) Ireland, Megan (Rich) Grinstead, Emily (Michael) Ireland-Walsh, Seth (Cassandra) Ireland, Shannon (Stephanie) Ireland-Gordy, Jill (Brian) Monson, Lauren Ireland; step-grandchildren: Lisa (Scott) Raabe, Tracy Page, Amanda (Anthony) Middleton, Ben (Kim) Smith; great grandchildren: Max, Zach, and Kate Struck, Michael, Calvin, and Claire Ireland, Ava Monson, Collins and Franklin Grinstead, Rose and Will Walsh, Quinn and Tristan Ireland; step-great grandchildren: Payton and Macie Raabe, Jordyn and Reagan Page,  Josephine and Mckenna Middleton; sister-in-law, Mary Elyn Pierce; nieces, Mary Julie Pierce and Anna Dorn; and nephew, Clay Pierce.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dewyane; grandchildren, Christopher Schubbe and Tyler Jon Ireland; step-grandson, Jody Page; and brother, Lynn Pierce.