Irene Francis Heil, 86, of Zearing passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Zearing Health Care Center in Zearing, Iowa. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm and a Rosary will begin at 7:00 pm at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in Zearing, Iowa. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church at 10:30 am with Father Rick Dagit officiating. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing, Iowa. Irene was born in Haverhill, Iowa on May 10, 1930 to John and Theresa (Jansen) Stalzer. She attended school at St. Mary's in Marshalltown, Iowa and graduated in 1948. She met Harold Heil at a dance hall in Marshalltown and the couple was married on November 21, 1949 in Haverhill, Iowa. The couple resided in Marshalltown until relocating to a farm outside of St. Anthony, Iowa in 1952. They farmed together for 25 years until 1978 when they moved into Zearing, Iowa. Irene also worked at the National Animal Disease Lab in Ames for over 20 years. Irene was a member of the Rosary Society of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and then St. Gabriel's Catholic Church. Irene loved to spend time with her family, travel, camp in their RV cook, and sew. Those left to cherish her loving memories are her husband of 67 years, Harold; children Diane (George) Sorenson, Linda (Steve) Lounsberry, Karen (Lee) Eggers, Janice (Philip) Launspach, and Brian (Kathy) Heil; grandchildren Erin Penning, Ryan (Ashley) Penning, Jeff (Jennie) Lounsberry, Sara (Ryan) Jackson, Katie (Garrett) Miller, Jonathon (Kay) Launspach, Hayes Heil, and Harrison Heil; step-grandchildren Dana (Paul) Caspersen, and Jennifer Sorenson; great-grandchildren Emmett Penning, Ethan Lounsberry, Aiden Lounsberry, Rayden Jackson, and Grace Miller; step-great-grandchildren Gabe Caspersen, Garner Caspersen, and Roman Zeisman; brother Lester (Arlene) Stalzer; sisters Ann (Frank) Navara, and Mary Bates; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law Mike Penning; brothers Clarence (Betty) Stalzer, Glenn (Annabelle) Stalzer; sisters Elsie Kopel, Ethel (Bud) Neuroth, Dorothy (Chuck) Richard, and Irma (Cliff) Smith; and brother-in-law Ed Bates. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Irene's name to: Frontotemporal Dementia Research, 445 N. Fifth St., Phoenix, AZ, 85004. Fredregill Funeral Home in Zearing has been entrusted with the care of Irene and her family. Visitation St. Gabriel's Catholic Church 302 N. Center St. Zearing, IA 50278 Visitation 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM St. Gabriel's Catholic Church 302 N. Center St. Zearing, IA 50278 Rosary 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM Service St. Gabriel's Catholic Church 302 N. Center St. Zearing, IA 50278 Service 10:30 AM - 11:30 PM Lincoln Township Cemetery HWY E18 Zearing, Iowa 50278 Burial 11:45 AM - 12:00 PM