Irene Kallis, age 86 of New Leipzig, ND, passed away peacefully on March 16th, 2015 at the Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00am MT on March 20th, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig with Pastor John Amundson officiating.

Irene was born on December 23rd, 1928 in Sugar City, Idaho. She was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Romick) Weimer. She grew up in Scottsbluff, NE, working on the family sugar beet farm.

On February 16th, 1947, she was united into marriage to Arnold Kallis in Scottsbluff, NE. They then made their home in New Leipzig. To this marriage they had one son, Marvin; born February 2nd, 1949.

Irene will always be remembered for many things. It is hard to put them all into words. She loved making homemade bread and noodles, and baking! She had the biggest, most beautiful gardens. She would always welcome anyone who showed up on her doorstep and made sure they never left hungry.

No one was ever an inconvenience to her. She loved to dance and teach all her grandchildren to dance with her. Her love for music shined through, especially every Saturday morning, listening to old time music on the radio and dancing in the kitchen while making breakfast. Her wonderful friends, who played an important part of her life, made her an even more wonderful person. She always made time for them.

The most important thing to her was simply family. She thrived on seeing and spending time on the farm with her grandchildren, and whatever friend they insisted come to the farm to swim in the "coke-a-cola" water. She was the pillar of the family that held us all up. She was a dedicated wife, loving mother, and a perfect grandmother. Fortunately, she was able to be a great grandmother as well, passing on her light and brilliance to another generation who cherish her deeply. They are all blessed to have met and loved her.

Irene's smile......... oh her bright smile, warm heart, comforting arms; soothing kisses........She will be cherished and honored in our hearts forever.

Irene is survived by her husband, Arnold Kallis, New Leipzig, one son Marvin (Connie) Kallis, New Leipzig; four grandchildren, Theresa Wolf (Wade Tschaekofske), Bismarck, Kristie Emerson (Scott Tschida), Mandan, Carrie (Mark) Duppong, Glen Ullin, Timothy and (Kelsy) Kallis, Mandan, 14 great grandchildren; Dakota Wolf, Mason, Isaiah, and Kennedy Emerson, Ethan, Alyssa, and Elizabeth Duppong, Kaden and Alivia Kallis and Abby Husfloen;  soon to be great grandchildren, Tricia and Braden Tschaekofske; Rebecca and Scotty Tschida; one brother, Edward Weimer of Scottsbluff, NE, two sisters Sally Green, Scottsbluff, NE, Shirley (Dick) Woodard, Scottsbluff, NE.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Ray, Henry Jr, Harold, Richard, and Johnny Weimer, and one sister Mary Schmidt.