Irene Svihovec, age 98, of Bismarck, ND, formerly of Mott, ND passed away on Wednesday morning, August 10, 2016 at the Missouri Slope Care Center in Bismarck.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016 at 10:30 am at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott. Fr. Charles Zins will officiate with burial to follow at Sunnyslope Cemetery, Mott.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, August 14th from 3 - 7 pm, with a Rosary and Wake Service starting at 7 pm all at St. Vincent's Catholic Church.

Irene Mendoza-Svihovec was born in Visalia, CA. on December 20th 1917 to Juanita Frederico-Mendoza and Charles Sebastian Mendoza.
Irene grew up in southern California with two older brothers, Louis and Fred, two younger sisters, Lucille and Hope and one younger brother, Art. In 1941 she met Rudolph Svihovec, a North Dakota farmer working in the war plants during WWII. This chance encounter at a Catholic dance in Los Angeles led to marriage about a year later at the Mission in San Gabriel, California.

Although exposed to considerable cursing at card snapping whist games and some wrench throwing barn yard expletives, Irene's language never got stronger than "shist"! She had many other strengths, however, including surviving a move from sunny southern California with indoor plumbing, TV, around the corner shopping and a variety of local dining options, to a North Dakota farm 17 miles from civilization. Her new abode, although a sturdy prairie home*, had none of the above mentioned amenities.

During the early years, she led a nomadic life moving from North Dakota to California each winter until number one son, Maurice, reached school age. At that time, the family, now including a younger son, Dion, moved to Mott. When Maurice was 12 and Dion was 10, a sister, Barbara Jane, joined the family along with a few wiener dogs. It took a while to adjust to the harsh winters but Irene eventually did and joined the ranks of those who refer to subzero temperatures as "sweater weather".

Irene stayed active in church and social activities, Thursday bridge club, the Altar Society and all the duties of a farm wife and mother of three active and sometimes not so well behaved children. Shortly after Rudolph died in 1993 she moved to Bismarck and became semi-retired, watching grandchildren, doing some traveling, and of course, baking. She could turn wheat flour, sugar and a little fruit into dozens and dozens of incredible delicacies.

A very brave 24 year old woman took on North Dakota and all it had to offer and she created a warm and loving environment for her family and friends. A very brave 98 year old woman left us; left us with so much to be thankful for.

Irene is survived by two sisters (Lucille and Hope) and a brother (Art), her children Maurice (Ginger), Dion, Barbara (Del) Herner, ten grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

*This "sturdy prairie home" built in 1912 is still standing and is on the cover of a book "Dakota Leftovers".