Irene A. Root of Riverton died on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Wind River Healthcare in Riverton. She was 96.
Funeral services are at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, from the Trinity Lutheran Church of Riverton. Officiating will be Pastor David Magruder.
Interment follows at Mountain View Cemetery in Riverton.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday March 10, at the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.
Irene Anna Heiden was born on Dec. 18, 1913 in Benton County, Iowa, the daughter of John H. Heiden and Anna (Hampel) Heiden. When she was five, the family moved to Watertown, S.D.
After she was graduated from Watertown High School, she received her diploma from Watertown Commercial College. She worked for the Resettlement Administration Association in Brookings, S.D. for two years, 1935-1937, during the Depression.
In 1937, she married Robert E. "Bob" Root of Watertown, S.D. at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown. At that time, she became a full time homemaker while Mr. Root pursued his career with the International Harvester.
The couple's son, Barry R. Root, was born in Sheridan, in 1948.
The family came to Riverton in 1954 while Mr. Root was still working for the International Harvester Company. Mr. and Mrs. Root lived in Riverton continuously since 1954.
After their son, Barry, was graduated from Riverton High School, Mr. Root became a teacher's aide at Jefferson School with School District #25, 1969-1977.
Mrs. Root was a member of the Lutheran faith, Missouri Synod. In Riverton she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Root was instrumental in establishing the Newcomers Club in 1954. The first meeting was held at Ashgrove School to help women get acquainted in Riverton.
Survivors include nephews, Donald Collier and his wife Jeannie of Gresham, Oregon, and Dr. James Heiden and his wife Susan of Portland, Oregon; niece, Marguerite Burke of Ann Arbor, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, one brother, her husband, and their son Dr. Barry R. Root.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Riverton.
On-line obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: thedavisfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.