Irene M. Manuel, age 90, of Buffalo, formerly of Watkins, died Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Annandale Care Center in Annandale, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2023, at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins with Fr. Jeff Horejsi as the Celebrant. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Thursday in the parish center at church. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Watkins.

Irene Marie Schaefer was born June 15, 1933, in New Munich to Leo and Marie (Donnelly) Schaefer. She grew up in New Munich and Richmond. Irene graduated with the Class of 1951 from St. Francis High School in Little Falls. On May 31, 1952, she was united in Marriage to Arthur Manuel at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins. They made their home in Watkins, where they raised their family. Irene moved to St. Cloud for a short time after Arthur's death, then moved to Buffalo where she has lived for the past 20 years. Irene worked multiple part time jobs over the years, but she always counted raising and caring for her family as her primary occupation in life. Irene was a former member of the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins and the Watkins VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed crocheting, playing bingo, trying her luck with the occasional pull tab, and making pies and Christmas cookies. Irene loved socializing and visiting with family and friends.

She is survived by her children, John Manuel of Watkins, Richard Manuel of Osseo, Mike (Barbara) Manuel of Watkins, Debbie (Jeff) Jacobs of Kimball, and Jeanie (Robert) Stommes of Maple Lake; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; brother, Ralph (Carol) Schaefer of Richmond; sister-in-law, Doris Schaefer of Richmond; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Marie Schaefer; husband, Arthur Manuel; daughter, Mary Beth Neely; daughter-in-law, Debbie Manuel; sister, Rose Gobel; and brothers, Bob, Allen, and Donny Schaefer.

Her children will serve as urn bearers. Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.

Obituary, Guestbook, and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com