Irene Hand

Irene I. Hand, age 90 of Waseca died Friday, November 2, 2012 at Lake Shore Inn of Waseca.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 5th at 11:00 A.M. at McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Waseca with Rev. Ron Brey, officiating. Interment will be in the Meadow Ridge Cemetery in Faribault, following services.

Visitation will be held Monday morning for one hour prior to services, at the funeral home.

Irene Inez was born June 9, 1922 in Deerfield Township, Steele County, Minnesota to Paul L. and Esther (Karow) Bettschen. Irene attended country school through the 8th grade. She stayed and helped on the family farm a few years, then was employed at the Braille and Sight Saving School in Faribault, Shattuck School in Faribault, then later Owatonna Tool Company. She was united in marriage to Fred M. Hand of Faribault, and they farmed several years in Deerfield Township, Steele County. They later moved to Fairmont. Following her husband's death in 1978, she moved to Waseca to be closer to family and friends. Irene attended the Wesleyan Church in Waseca.

She is survived by her niece, Carol Nelson of Tulsa, OK; nephew, Curtis (Becky) Nelson of White Bear Township, Minnesota; several cousins and extended family; close friend Carol (Grove) Brown of Waseca.

She was preceded in death by her husband on May 25, 1978; brother, Harry Bettschen; sisters, Adeline Nelson and Mildred Bettschen.