Irene Louise Drehsen

Irene Louise Drehsen, age 85, passed away on August 8, 2021 in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by all of her beloved children and grandchildren. She was born on July 8, 1936 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Leo Peter Unger and Louise Elizabeth Didier. Irene was the 11th of 14 children and grew up in Sauk Centre on the family’s dairy farm. After graduating from high school she took classes in speed-typing and dictation and worked for a statistician in Duluth. She decided to make the move to California to join 3 older siblings who had relocated, she and helped them in caring for their children. Irene also worked in a women’s figure salon, which promoted living a healthy lifestyle. Ballroom dancing was one of her passions while living in San Diego, and she took lessons at Arthur Murray Studios until she excelled to the point of becoming a head instructor. Irene acquired the professional nickname of “Miss Sandy” from her students. She met a dashingly tall, dark, handsome and charismatic gentleman named John Carl Drehsen, and taught together at Arthur Murray. In 1967 they were united in marriage. A few years later, they moved to Dallas, Texas for a business opportunity and also owned rental properties in Highland Park which she managed the rest of her life. They happily welcomed 2 baby girls close in age. Irene committed wholeheartedly to what she considers the greatest vocation of motherhood.

The couple raised their daughters in the community of Christ the King Catholic Church and School. While they were in grade school there, she began going to daily Holy Mass, where she met her core group of friends united in Faith which remained true until the end. Irene was always involved in her children’s education, growth in Faith life, and extracurricular activities, assisted her husband in his work endeavors, and was an active member in the Altar Society.

Second to her utmost passion for Jesus, Irene’s greatest love was for her family. When her daughters married and began welcoming children, Irene was admittedly “the Proudest Grandma in the World.” She was enamored with 11 grandchildren and constantly gave of herself in helping her daughters care for them. She intentionally cherished every moment with them and spent as much time during her life with them that she could, always putting their needs before hers. Irene’s beloved husband Jack passed away after 33 years of marriage, and when her first grandbaby was only 1, and amidst the pain of losing him, always continued her positive attitude, faithfulness, and devotion to others.

She loved holding babies, reading to her grandchildren, playing all kinds of games with them, babysitting them any time she was asked, helping with schoolwork, driving them to activities, and watching them do just about anything from sports to dancing to playing piano. She proudly decorated the walls of her home with drawings by her grandchildren. She was an unbeatable encourager, listener, and gentle leader. Her parents, brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews were extremely dear to her, and she kept in close touch. She was sentimental and had a strong desire to stay connected to her large family spread around the country and loved recounting stories of life on the farm and growing up in Minnesota.

Irene’s love for the Catholic Faith was truly inspirational to everyone she encountered. She received Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament almost daily for 45 years oftentimes bringing her children and grandchildren, spent countless hours in Adoration “Holy Hours,” committed to First Friday and Saturday devotions, revered the Saints especially St. Padre Pio, went on many pilgrimages, and brought converts into the Church.

Irene was the epitome of grace and Christian virtue. She humbly served others until she was too weak to do so but still asked “What can I do to help?” All that is good, true and beautiful in the Lord is what she sought, all the while gentle, humble, good-natured, graceful, loving, witty and prayerful. Her best advice was to love God and others wholeheartedly, pray more than you worry, offer your sacrifices to Jesus, and find time to take care of yourself so that you can minister to others. She believed in nutrition, exercise and enough sleep, and was known for her “green health drink,” an apple a day, Grandma’s oatmeal, sweet potatoes and tabouleh salad. It served her well, as this strong woman was completely healthy until age 83, when she was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, but continued to fight sweetly yet bravely, and was ultimately committed to God’s Will. She allowed her family to have several full days before her death to surround her bedside, praying, praising, pouring out of hearts, precious storytelling, and togetherness before her passing from her beautiful earthly life into her Eternal Sacred Home.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Louise Unger; husband John Drehsen in 2000; brothers and sisters Jerome Unger, Alexia Sanders, Leo Unger, William Unger, Francis Unger, Rita Unger, Jane Lull, Richard Unger, and Margaret Messerich.

She is survived by her daughters Mrs. Jon (Kimberly) Dyess and Mrs. Nathan (Diana) Harris; stepdaughter Desiree Drehsen; 11 grandchildren Christopher and Emily Dyess; John, Natalie, Mary Beth, Julia, Lauren, Joseph, Michael, Bridget and Mark Harris; sisters Elizabeth Campbell, Mary Ann Bentler and Lorraine Morgan, brother Robert Unger; and numerous nieces and nephews. All will miss her physical presence incredibly in this life but rejoice in knowing that she lived to love others and please the Lord, and has finally achieved her Heavenly Reward.

A Rosary Vigil will be held at 6:00pm on Friday, August 13, 2021 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Christ the King, followed by Interment at Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas at 1:00pm. A reception will be held at the home of Nathan and Diana Harris at 4406 Woodfin Drive in Dallas from 2:00pm-4:00pm after the burial. All friends and family are invited to any or all of the services.

Irene was a lifelong advocate for the sanctity of life at all stages, from conception to natural death. Donations in her name can be made to The Catholic Pro-Life Committee of Dallas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gonzalezfuneralsdallas.com for the Drehsen family.