Irene O. Zastrow 87 of Gann Valley died early Tuesday morning September 2, 2009 at the Avera Westkota Memorial Medical Center in Wessington Springs. Irene’s body was cremated and will be returned to the earth on the family ranch in Buffalo County. Memory sharing for family and friends will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 2:00 pm in the Gann Valley Community Fire Hall in Gann Valley, SD. Irene Priebe was born on December 14, 1921 at Ola, South Dakota to William J. and Minnie (Klemenhagen) Priebe. Irene grew up and attended rural school in the Ola area. She married George Zastrow on October 19, 1939 in Lake Andes, SD. They spent some time in Chamberlain and later lived for a time on a farm near Hamill, SD. In 1943, Irene and George moved to a ranch in Plummer township northeast of Kimball, SD. During their years at the Jones ranch they were able to build a herd of cows and in 1953 purchased a ranch north of Gann Valley. The ranch remained her home and passion for the rest of her life. Despite her eighth grade education, Irene was an avid reader. So in 1968, after her five sons were raised, Irene obtained a GED high school diploma. She then attended Dakota State University in Madison, SD and received a Bachelor’s degree in education. She taught two years in a country school in Brule County. After her husband George died of cancer in 1985, Irene chose to remain on the home place. She devoted her life to outdoor pursuits, gardening and caring for a menagerie of animals to the delight of her great-grandchildren. Irene is survived by five sons: Lee and Twila (Balster) of Wessington Springs; Roland (Rollie) and Anita (Shepherd) of Highmore; Laurence and Anita (Odens) of Pierre; Arlan and Barbara (Getty) of Roseburg, OR; and Rex and Susan (Hoarty) of Gann Valley; nine grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren; one sister Marcheta Anderson; two brothers, Lloyd (Aileen) Priebe, Carroll (Dorothy) Priebe, and sister-in-law, Grace (Arnold) Priebe. She was proceeded in death by her husband George, her parents, two brothers, Arnold and William “Bud,” and four sisters, Laura, Wilma, Beulah, and Cleota.

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