Mary “Eileen” Kirchner, 81, of Houghton, Iowa, passed away at 2:01 a.m. Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
She was born on March 17, 1940, in St. Patrick, Missouri, the daughter of William F. and Nola M. (Logsdon) Boudreau. On October 17, 1959, she married Charles A. Kirchner in St. Patrick, Missouri. He preceded her in death on August 4, 1999.
She is survived by her two daughters: Karen (Kenny) Mehmert of St. Paul, Iowa and Kathy (Marty) Menke of Houghton, Iowa; five sons: Kevin (Jamee) Kirchner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Chuck (Sue) Kirchner of Palatine, Illinois; Brent (Rachel) Kirchner of Coralville, Iowa, Brian (Heather) Kirchner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Kyle (Gina) Kirchner of East Dubuque, Illinois; grandchildren: Kameron (Jamie), Quinn (Madonna), Mitchell, Cole, Alyssa (Adam) Justin (Abby), Cody (Rycki), Nicholas (Trisha), Dana (Erik), Dylan (Selena), Cal, Christy, Allyson, Bailey, Lainey, Brevin and Bradin; great grandchildren: Danika, Gabby, Devan, Jack, Mateo, Kinsley, Gentry, Berken, Clara and Grace; sisters-in-law: Joanne Boudreau and Dorothy Kirchner and brother-in-law: Robert (Rita) Kirchner. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Charlie; one son: Chris; granddaughter: Kelsey and brother: Eston.
Eileen graduated from St. Patrick High School in St. Patrick, Missouri, a year early in 1957. She also attended Mount St. Clare College in Clinton, Iowa for one year. She then moved with her husband Charlie and kids to the Houghton area in January of 1974. She always helped to provide for her family working several jobs and finally settling in at Staats in Mt. Pleasant where she worked for twenty-seven years until she retired at the age of seventy-seven.
Eileen was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society of the Church and the Daughters of Isabella.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, and seamstress. If anyone had a piece of clothing that needed altering or made from scratch, she was the woman to call, grabbing her sewing machine and getting to work. She was extremely creative making gifts for her family and cooking amazing food, especially her homemade noodles.Like all mothers and grandmothers she enjoyed spending time with her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. She also enjoyed playing Euchre and Back Alley Bridge with her card club and of course drinking several cups of Folgers instant coffee a day.
Later in life she discovered quilting, allowing her to create several special friendships with fellow quilters and making a quilt for all of her kids and grandkids. After living in the country for years, she moved into town in Houghton in 2016 making her new house feel like we lived there all of our lives. Her faith kept her strong all the way to the end, praying several Hail Marys in the hospital.
May she rest in peace in Heaven united with her one true love Charlie, her parents, brother, son, and granddaughter.
Friends may call after 12:00 noon Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at St. John’s Catholic Church, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. that evening. A parish rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. at the church.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery in St. Patrick, Missouri.
Memorials have been established in her memory for St. Patrick Cemetery or Houghton Fire and Rescue.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.