Inge Kaete Schlenk, 90, died on Jan. 1, 2012, at Jefferson’s Ferry Retirement Community in South Setauket, N.Y., where she lived since 2007.

Inge was born in Bremen, Germany, on March 8, 1921, to Emil and Gertrud (Brockmann) Schier. She married Hermann Schlenk (born in Jena Germany) in 1946, and after briefly living in Wurtzburg, they immigrated to the USA where they became citizens. When Hermann’s career in biochemistry brought him to the Hormel Institute of the University of Minnesota, they ultimately settled in Austin in 1953.

Inge’s passions included flowers and gardening, music, literature, art, interior decorating and bridge. She also had training and great talent in cooking, baking and sewing. Her love of reading led her to work in a bookstore in Bremen and at the Austin Public Library. As a volunteer, she was a driver and president of the local Meals on Wheels. She was a unitarian with broad interests and high energy, was always proud of her family and a lover of dogs, the outdoors and swimming. She greatly enjoyed travel and time at the family cabin on Rice Lake in Lake Mills, Iowa.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Heinz; husband, Hermann (2003).

Inge is survived by her son, Thomas Schlenk, Austin; daughter, Cornelia Schlenk and son-in-law, Joseph (Jay) Tanski, of Setauket, N.Y.; several nieces and nephews.

No local services are planned at this time, and interment will be private. Notes to her family may be sent c/o 20 Conscience Circle, Setauket, NY 11733. Memorials may be directed to the Austin Public Library.