Serena Endres

Serena Katherine (Greiner) Endres, 95, formerly of Bluffton, passed away March 17, 2009 at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena.

She was born on June 17, 1913, in Luxemburg, Iowa, to John and Theresa (Hahn) Greiner. She married Alphonse Endres on Nov. 15, 1932, in Luxemburg. They were married for 50 years until his death in May 1983. Together they had eight children. They moved to the Endres family farm in Bluffton in 1936. She helped her husband farm, tended a large garden, and enjoyed raising her chickens. She was a lifetime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bluffton, was active in the Christian Mother’s Society, and belonged to the Bluffton Senior Citizens Group. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, playing bingo and cards.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, March 21, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bluffton with the Rev. Donald Wagner as celebrant. Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren. Active pallbearers were grandsons, Daniel Chastanet, Henri Chastanet, Mark Schmitz, Scott Endres, Kevin Endres, and Jeff Endres. Interment was in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Bluffton. Arrangements were with the Johnson Memorial Home in Wadena (www.johnsonmemorialhome.com).

Survivors include her children, Patricia (Nicholas) Schmitz of Verndale, Doris (James) Geber of Milwaukie, Ore., Judith (Henri) Chastanet of Homosassa, Fla., Merlin (Shirley) Endres of Woodinville, Wash., Vernon (Laurie) Endres of Kenmore, Wash., Sheila (Ron) McConnachie of Brier, Wash., Dean (Cheri) Endres of Bluffton; 26 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Marie Meyers, Helen Gogel, and Jeanette Reed, all of Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alphonse; son, Duane; her father and mother, John and Theresa Greiner; one great-granddaughter; and 11 brothers and sisters.