Irene Rupp
Irene Helen Rupp of Granite Falls was received by our Lord and Savior on Friday, January 28, 2022, at the age of 90. She passed away at her home surrounded by family. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Granite Falls. Visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Wing-Bain Funeral Home with the rosary and prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services on Friday. Interment will be at the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery.
Irene Helen Rupp of Granite Falls was born June 28, 1931, the daughter of Anton and Frances (Lozinski) Swedzinski of Taunton, MN. She grew up on the family farm in Lincoln County and attended school in Taunton until the eighth grade. Irene graduated from the Minneota High School in 1948 and then attended teacher training at the Canby School in 1949. She taught country school for three years before meeting Glen Rupp.
She was united in marriage to Glen William Rupp on June 10, 1952, at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Taunton, MN. Their union was blessed with 11 children, Ronald, John, Gene, Kenneth, Mary, David, Debra, Gerald, Terese, Steven and Julene.
Irene was a gentle soul whose biggest love was spending time with her family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. Throughout Irene’s life, she was involved in their lives by attending their various activities. She loved family get-togethers and the campfires on the farm. She lived most of her life on the Rupp family farm that she shared with her husband and her family in Yellow Medicine County near Granite Falls.
Irene loved to fish. She went fishing with her children any chance she got. She would spend endless amounts of time sitting at the end of the dock at the lake trailer the family shares. She loved her family and was interested in the lives of others, especially her friends and extended family. She enjoyed people and kept them close with her frequent cards and letters and never missed sending birthday cards. She was known for her delicious goulash, caramel rolls and her cookie container that was always filled with homemade cookies or other delicious treats for her family.
Irene had a wonderful sense of humor. She was gracious and kind, caring and selfless. She made the world a better place without even knowing it. Irene’s faith was very important to her. She was a blessing to all. Two of Irene’s favorite sayings were “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad” and “Take care and God bless.”
Irene is survived by her 11 children, Ron (Loraine) Rupp of Big Lake, MN, John Rupp of Montevideo, Gene (Deb) Rupp of Waconia, MN, Ken (Sharon) Rupp of Granite Falls, Mary (Doug) Miller of Plymouth, MN, Dave (Kim) Rupp of Granite Falls, Deb (Doug) Blood of Montevideo, Jerry (Dawn) Rupp of Granite Falls, Tess (Chad) Coyhis of Aurora, Colorado, Steve (Danae) Rupp of Granite Falls, Julie (Steve) Nordaune of Granite Falls; her grandchildren, Brittany (Bob) Bohland, Brian Rupp, Michael (Tricia) Rupp, Monica (Jason) Miller, Christina (Jake) Arvold, Anthony Rupp, Hillary Rupp, Meredith Rupp, Bethany Rupp, Laura (Dustin) Hannemann, Kari (Dan) Carroll, Kathryn (Brett) Massee, Jeanine Rupp, James Rupp, Shaun Fischer, Scott Rupp, Hunter Coyhis, Lydia Coyhis, Eleanor Coyhis, Tori Rupp, Tiana Rupp, Tarrick Rupp, Joshua Nordaune and Megan Nordaune; and her great-grandchildren, Marcus Rupp, Barrett Rupp, Colby Miller, Madison Miller, Carson Hannemann, Maya Hannemann, Grace Massee and Elena Massee.
Irene is also survived by her brothers, Robert Swedzinski (and wife Marion), David Swedzinski, James Swedzinski; sister-in-law, Loraine Swedzinski (Edward’s wife); and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Frances; her husband, Glen; granddaughter, Kate Nordaune; and her siblings and their spouses, Raymond and Irene Swedzinski, Richard and Bernice Swedzinski, Lorraine and William McMahon, Edward Swedzinski, Marvin Swedzinski; sisters-in-law, Becky Swedzinski (Jim’s wife), and Marge Swedzinski (David’s wife).