Irene Gratz, age 90 of Mott, passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at St. Benedict's Living Community in Dickinson, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial for Irene will be held at 10:00 a.m. MT on Friday, September 2, 2022 at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott, ND.  Fr. Chris Kadrmas will officiate with burial to follow in the Sunnyslope Cemetery at Mott, ND.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a rosary/vigil service at 7:00 p.m. all at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott, ND.

Irene Josephine Gratz (Pfeiler) was born near Almont, North Dakota on November 7, 1931 to Joseph and Mary (Classen) Pfeiler.  She grew up on a farm and started school at 4 years old.   Graduating from high school when she was 16, she started working at QB&R in Bismarck and later worked as a payroll clerk at the Garrison Dam Project.

She married her high school sweetheart, Urben Stephen Gratz, on June 1st, 1953 in New Salem. They moved to Mott in the fall of 1954 where Urben started his career as a music instructor at Mott Lincoln High School.  In Mott, they raised their children, Allen, Gerald, Brian and Karen.

Irene was active in her church, teaching High School Catholic Youth programs. As her children grew up, she pursued employment at the Soil Conservation Office in Mott. After Urben & Irene acquired Maercklein Real Estate & Insurance, Irene took on the roll of office administrator, receptionist and bookkeeper.  Irene and Urben retired in 1993, allowing them to travel and visit their children and grandchildren.

She passed from this life on Saturday, August 27th, 2022 at St. Benedictine Living Community in Dickinson, ND at the age of 90, after a long struggle with dementia.

Irene loved and supported her family, enjoyed singing, church life, reading, writing poetry, photography, American history and travel.

Irene is survived by her husband of 69 years, Urben S. Gratz; her brother Joe (Betty) Pfeiler; her 4 children Allen (Deb) Gratz,  Jerry (Kim) Gratz, Brian (Leslie) Gratz and Karen (Brent) Helleckson; her 10 grandchildren, Crystalynn (Ward) Larsen, Curtis (Keri) Gratz, Nathan (Jennifer) Gratz, Neal (Lindsy) Gratz, Kenneth (Laurie) Gratz, Abby (Ryan) Siewert, Gabe (Tara) Gratz, Aimee (Paul) Gratz Morris, Stephanie Helleckson, and Jacob Helleckson; and numerous great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary Pfeiler; her brothers, Bill Kokkeler, John Kokkeler, Ted Kokkeler, Clemens Kokkeler, Ray Kokkeler; and her sister, Rose (Kokkeler) Schlosser.