Hyde Park- Irene P Tegtmeier, 74, a longtime resident of Hyde Park, died Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck. Born in Poughkeepsie on April 23, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Jean Tarkos. A 1954 graduate of F. D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, Irene worked as a Nurse's Aide at St. Francis Hospital during her high school years. This put her on a path to a career in nursing. After High School, she attended the Hudson River State Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1957. Notably, she was part of the first class that had study time at New Paltz State Teacher's College. She worked at the State Hospital in Poughkeepsie before taking some time off to raise a family. She rejoined the workforce as a Registered Nurse at F. D. Roosevelt High School, where she stayed for fifteen years until her retirement. Irene was active on the reunion committee for her high school graduating class, as well as an active member, Past President, and member of the Board of Directors of the HRSH Nurses Alumni Assoc. She was a member of the Hyde Park Chapter of AARP (and enjoyed their trips), and St. James' Episcopal Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher and member of the Altar Guild and various other committees. Mrs. Tegtmeier was a charter member of Citizens for Hemodialysis in Dutchess County. She also served as the Treasurer for eight years and was instrumental in fundraising efforts to establish a dialysis center at St. Francis Hospital. Irene was also active in local politics. She was Past President of the Hyde Park Democratic Women's Club, Past Vice President of the Democratic Committee, and Secretary of the Hyde Park Democratic Club. She enjoyed spending her winters in North Ft. Myers, Florida . On December 28, 1957, she married Richard A. Tegtmeier in Baltic, Connecticut. Mr. Tegtmeier predeceased her on April 18, 1996. She is survived by her three children, Joanne Kennelly and husband, Tony, of Augusta, GA, Susan McGlynn and husband, Chris, of Red Hook, and Jack Tegtmeier and wife, Liz, of Milan; daughter-in-law, Catherine Tegtmeier of Pleasant Valley; six grandchildren, Anthony and Joseph Kennelly, and Aric, Andrea, Kyler, and Paige Tegtmeier; cousins, Ronald Mills of Paris, France, and Janice Decker of South Carolina; and many friends. She was also excited about her future grandchild McGlynn due in May. In addition to her husband and mother, she was predeceased by her son, Firefighter Paul Tegtmeier, FDNY, who died on September 11, 2001; and her grandparents, Joseph and Pauline Tarkos. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm, Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., Rte. 9, Hyde Park. Funeral services will be at 11 am, Thursday, March 10th at St. James' Episcopal Church , Rte. 9, Hyde Park. Rev. Chuck Kramer will officiate Burial will be in the family plot in St. James' Churchyard. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. James' Episcopal Church, 4526 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park, NY 12538, or the Paul Tegtmeier Memorial Fund. Please make checks payable to Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund and reference the Paul Tegtmeier Memorial Fund in the memo section and send to Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, P.O. Box 770001 Cincinnati, OH 45277-0053 Irene's family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Baptist Home and Northern Dutchess Hospital for their care during these last months. To send a condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com