Memorial services for Irna A. Stienecker, 96, of Rockford, IL and formerly of Mobridge will be at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at the UCC Church in Mobridge. Inurnment will be at Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Irna passed away Thursday, May 2, 2013, in her home.

Irna was born October 19, 1916, in Herreid, South Dakota, the daughter of Heinrich and Christina Ackerman. In 1990, Irna came to Rockford from Mobridge, SD, with her husband, Walter Stienecker. After the loss of her husband, Walter in 1990, she later met and married William Gallagher. He predeceased her in 2007. Irna spent her professional career working for the USDA in Mobridge, SD.

She was a member of 2nd Congregational Church in Mobridge, SD. She was a member of LOLTOS, the wellness club at PA Peterson, Rockfordette dancers and the Golden Agers dance club. Irna was an accomplished musician, volunteering her time and musical talent to the churches in Mobridge, SD, Pharr, TX and locally at many of the nursing homes. She wrote the unofficial South Dakota State Song, and had her own radio show for a number of years.

Survivors include her son, Gene Stienecker; five grandchildren, Kristy (Larry) Hansen of Rockford, Gene "Skip" Stienecker of Belvidere, Erin (Pat) Tulley of Iowa, Sara (Pat) Nielsen of Rockford and Amanda (Phil) Nedved of Rockford; great- grandchildren, Jordan and Nicholas Hall, Trent and Grant Hansen, Zachary and Paxton Tulley, Henry and Nora Nielsen and Willa Nedved; numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents; son, Paul Stienecker; husbands, Walter Stienecker and William Gallagher; and seven brothers and sisters. In lieu of flowers, memorials to 2nd Congregational Church in Mobridge, SD.