Irene Larson

FUNERAL NOTICE for IRENE LARSON
Irene Larson, age 91 of Osakis passed away on Sat., Aug. 19 at the Community Memorial Home in Osakis. Funeral services are set for Saturday, Aug. 26 at 2:00 pm at the Sauk Valley Lutheran Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation hours are from 5 - 8 pm on Friday at the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis and also one hour before the service at the church.
Irene Marie Julseth was born on October 7, 1925 in Brandon, MN to Johan and Martha (Ensrud) Julseth. She was baptized on Nov. 8, 1925 and confirmed on Nov. 5, 1939 at the Chippewa Lutheran Free Church in Brandon. She graduated in 1943 from the Brandon High School and moved to the Twin Cities, where she was hired at the Vanity Dress Factory and then returned home to work at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Alexandria, MN. On October 17, 1948 Irene was united in marriage to Andrew Larson. They farmed east of Osakis and while husband Andrew raised the chickens Irene washed and candled the eggs to sell. She lived her faith and was an active member of the Sauk Valley Lutheran Church, belonged to the Ladies Aide (holding several leadership positions) and volunteered for many years as a Sunday School teacher. She also belonged to the Sauk River Quilters group.
In addition to quilting and sewing and embroidery work, Irene also raised a large garden and canned many quarts of fruit and vegetables. Many hours cooking and baking kept her busy farm family well fed. She treasured the two trips to Norway taken with her husband in 1988 and again in 1993. She also attended many area threshing bees and church ice cream socials. Time with family brought her much joy. She attended many family activities, even going on rides with them at the county fairs. Irene baked daffodil cakes from scratch for her children's birthdays and meticulously used a toothpick to decorate and add their name. She was also a devoted letter writer, and many friends and family were kept informed through her eloquent cards and letters. In her later years, Irene enjoyed doing word search books and puzzles.
She will be remembered in the hearts of her children, Kathryn (Loren) Fiskness, James (Denise) Larson, Karl (Carol) Larson and daughter-in-law, Bonnie Larson, all of Osakis; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Waiting to greet her in heaven are her parents, husband, Andrew (2009), a son, John (2016) and a granddaughter, Kristen Larson; two brothers, Gordon and Walter Julseth.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the Sauk Valley Lutheran Church with Rev. Steve Hilde and Rev. Lindell Quam. Bell ringer was Alden Johnson. Musicians are Ione Johnson and Nathan Larson.
Honorary casketbearers are her granddaughters, Andrea Engh and Emily Larson, Kelly Heinen, Dana Pazdernik, Lacy Peters and her maternal nieces and nephews, Richard, Norman, Warren and Wallace Julseth, Barbara Wagner, Carol Holmberg and Audrey Julseth. Active bearers are her grandsons, Peter Fiskness, Tim, Wendell, Benjamin, Jacob, Ryan and Anthony Larson.
Interment is at the Sauk Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Osakis, MN.
Memorials in Irene's honor preferred to Gideons and the Association Free Lutheran Bible School, 3134 E Medicine Lake Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55441.
Arrangements are being handled by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.