Irene Bartol passed away peacefully at her home in Mesa, AZ after a short struggle with cancer on April 30, 2016.
She was born to parents Arthur and Emma Hausauer on March 3, 1944 in Eureka, SD. Irene grew up as the younger of two daughters and attended
Eureka High School. She graduated from the Aberdeen School of Commerce in 1962. In 1962, she married Thomas Bertsch of Eureka, SD.
The couple raised four children on the Hausauer family farm located north of Eureka. Irene took on farm ventures such as starting a sheep business and becoming certified in livestock breeding.
Irene moved to the Phoenix area in 1986. She graduated from Pedigree Career Institute Professional School for Dog and Cat Grooming and opened her business, Top Dog Grooming, in Tempe, AZ. Irene was the owner and manager of Top Dog Grooming in Tempe, AZ for nearly 25 years. She was an animal lover since childhood when she started rescuing stray pets. Over the years she has rescued and cared for many pets needing a home. She will be missed by her family, friends, colleagues and her many loyal patrons.
She is survived by her sister Marian (Keith) Clark of Sioux Falls, SD; children, Kevin Bertsch of Tigard, OR; Karen Skogstad and husband Keith of Brookings, SD; Kathy Bertsch of Des Moines, IA; Kurtis Bertsch of Gillette, Wy; and 3 grandchildren (Kyle, Kali, and Kaylee). She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Emma Hausauer.
Irene’s memorial service will take place on May 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home in Mesa, AZ. Friends and family are invited to attend interment at the cemetery following the service. The family is grateful for condolences and in lieu of flowers, requests that friends, family and colleagues assist in placing her 5 beloved dogs in forever homes.
I’m so sorry to hear the news of Irene passing away. She had a very kind heart and a gentle spirit. Irene took such good care of my three fur babies. I will miss her very much. My Deepest sympathy to all of her family members.
Sincerely,
Carol Brown
Our family has known Irene for many years, she has provided grooming services to all of our family pets. She would always have a bright smile on her face each time she came out to get one of our dogs for grooming and spoiled them while they were in her care. Her love for animals was without question. We thought of Irene as part of our extended family and are blessed that we had the chance to know her. She will be thoroughly missed and will always have a place in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time.
Thank you! Over the decades, you have given all of our babies the very best. They always look great and most importantly to us was how happy they were being with you at Top Dog! Irene, we miss you so much! With sad hearts, Sandi, Jeff & Pippa
Just wanted to post a tribute tonight to one of the greatest people I have ever known, Irene Bartol, the owner of Top Dog Grooming here in Mesa. She has cared for and groomed my dogs, Bitsy and Diva, combined, for the past 20 years. It was amazing to go into her shop and watch the dogs come in anxious to be in her presence. What dog goes into a groomer’s wanting to be there? At Irene’s, they did.
Not long after I started taking Bitsy to her, some people left a dog behind at a local gas station near her place. The guys at the gas station brought this gorgeous animal to her, Irene took him in and named him “Chevy.” Bitsy took a fancy to Chevy and made goo-goo eyes at him every time we went to Irene’s. He was the only dog Bitsy ever gave two hoots about. Chevy passed in Irene’s arms a few years ago and Bitsy followed shortly thereafter. The night Bitsy passed, the first person to call to console me was Irene.
Today, I received the devastatingly sad news that Irene had passed away after a brief illness. The grief I feel is enormous, but I comfort myself with the idea that Bitsy is sitting on Irene’s lap in heaven and Chevy is sitting beside them.
Rest in peace, Irene, the beautiful peace you so richly deserve. Being the shy sort, you may have never known how much you were loved, but I sure hope you had a sense of it. What a stalwart member of our community and neighborhood you were–so admired, so loved and so respected.
With all of the love we can send to you,
Lynn, Bitsy, and Diva.
I saw the notice on the door of Top Dog today when I took one of my dogs in for grooming, that Irene had passed. I am so sad. I have taken my dogs in there for 13 years. They were always well cared for and looked great. She was always cheerful and kind and professional, and I will miss her. My sympathy to her friends and family.
I’m so sorry to hear the news of Irene passing away. She had a very kind heart and a gentle spirit. Irene took such good care of my three fur babies. I will miss her very much. My Deepest sympathy to all of her family members.
Sincerely,
Carol Brown
Our family has known Irene for many years, she has provided grooming services to all of our family pets. She would always have a bright smile on her face each time she came out to get one of our dogs for grooming and spoiled them while they were in her care. Her love for animals was without question. We thought of Irene as part of our extended family and are blessed that we had the chance to know her. She will be thoroughly missed and will always have a place in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time.
Thank you! Over the decades, you have given all of our babies the very best. They always look great and most importantly to us was how happy they were being with you at Top Dog! Irene, we miss you so much! With sad hearts, Sandi, Jeff & Pippa
Just wanted to post a tribute tonight to one of the greatest people I have ever known, Irene Bartol, the owner of Top Dog Grooming here in Mesa. She has cared for and groomed my dogs, Bitsy and Diva, combined, for the past 20 years. It was amazing to go into her shop and watch the dogs come in anxious to be in her presence. What dog goes into a groomer’s wanting to be there? At Irene’s, they did.
Not long after I started taking Bitsy to her, some people left a dog behind at a local gas station near her place. The guys at the gas station brought this gorgeous animal to her, Irene took him in and named him “Chevy.” Bitsy took a fancy to Chevy and made goo-goo eyes at him every time we went to Irene’s. He was the only dog Bitsy ever gave two hoots about. Chevy passed in Irene’s arms a few years ago and Bitsy followed shortly thereafter. The night Bitsy passed, the first person to call to console me was Irene.
Today, I received the devastatingly sad news that Irene had passed away after a brief illness. The grief I feel is enormous, but I comfort myself with the idea that Bitsy is sitting on Irene’s lap in heaven and Chevy is sitting beside them.
Rest in peace, Irene, the beautiful peace you so richly deserve. Being the shy sort, you may have never known how much you were loved, but I sure hope you had a sense of it. What a stalwart member of our community and neighborhood you were–so admired, so loved and so respected.
With all of the love we can send to you,
Lynn, Bitsy, and Diva.
I saw the notice on the door of Top Dog today when I took one of my dogs in for grooming, that Irene had passed. I am so sad. I have taken my dogs in there for 13 years. They were always well cared for and looked great. She was always cheerful and kind and professional, and I will miss her. My sympathy to her friends and family.