Batesville
Irene M. Barnhorst, age 99, of Batesville, died Tuesday, January 3, 2017, in Helena, Montana.
Born October 29, 1917, in New Alsace, Indiana, she is the daughter of Catherine (Nee: Hoffbauer) and Louis Fritsch. She married Herman Barnhorst on April 6, 1940, at St. Paul’s Church in New Alsace and he preceded her in death May 8, 2006.
A homemaker, Irene worked part-time at the Napoleon Locker Plant for 20 years and was a member of St. Louis Church. Her family indicated that mom never met a stranger and that she loved having company and talking on the telephone. She was also a terrific cook and baker. They remember the smell of homemade bread frequently filling the house and will miss her fried chicken, corn, German potato salad and her homemade noodles. The church festival will miss her pies, cakes and coleslaw. For years, she put out a large garden and canned the excess each year. Irene also enjoyed eating out. Her favorite spots were the Hobo Hut and the Brau House and, with someone else doing the cooking, she liked attending the local church festivals for their fried chicken. When it was time to relax, she watched I.U. basketball or the Lawrence Welk Show.
Irene is survived by her sons, Raymond Barnhorst of Columbus, Indiana, Paul Barnhorst of Helena, Montana, Robert Barnhorst of Cincinnati, Ohio and Gerald Barnhorst of Edinburg, Indiana; twelve grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and five great great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is also preceded in death by sister, Rita Abplanalp; brothers, Stanley and Alfred Fritsch; and one grandchild, Brian Barnhorst.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Weigel Funeral Home in Batesville. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Maurice Church in Napoleon with Rev. Bill Turner officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The family requests memorials be made to the St. Maurice Cemetery Fund or the Hospice of St. Peter’s.
