She was born Aug. 7, 1923 in Streeter, N.D., to Jacob & Helen (Hochestetter) Graff.
Irene married Lloyed Schlaht on June 15, 1944. She lived in Cleveland, N.D.; Montana; Toppenish, WA; Zillah, Hayden Lake, ID; Pendleton, Gladstone, OR; and Spokane, WA. She lived in Stanfield and Hermiston since 1989.
She was a housewife and mother of three, but also opened her home to foster children. She always had a garden and wanted to share the harvest. She worked in the summers picking grapes and fruit so she could send the children to a Christian school. She was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Faith has always been very important in Irene’s life and was always active in the church. She also enjoyed reading and writing poems. One that you often hear her say was: “You can talk about me all you please, and I’ll talk about you down on my knees”.
Some of the things she loved to do, sewing, painting pictures especially old barns and ocean scenes, collecting rocks and dolls, camping, and fishing. She was also a great German cook and loved family gatherings. She was a member of the Hermiston Rock Club. She worked by her husband’s side in starting the Stanfield Food bank, filling boxes of food for the hungry.
She was preceded in death by her Husband, Lloyed Schlaht in 2007; Parents, Jacob & Helen Graff; Brothers, Ervin, Walter, Edward, and Robert.
She is survived by her Sons, Terry Schlaht & Roger Schlaht both of Hermiston, OR; Daughter, Pamela Griffin of Pendleton, OR; Grandchildren, Troy, Lynette, Jason, Chad, Travis and Jeff; Great-grandchildren, Ayla, Emily, Jacob, Tyler, Connor and Isaac.
Viewing is at Burns Mortuary in Hermiston, Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 from 1 to 4 p.m.. Celebration of Life is at the Hermiston Seventh-day Adventist Church, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 at 3 p.m..
Please send condolences at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
