Irene L. Stevenson • 1908 - 2005

Irene L. Stevenson, 97, Velva, ND, died Friday, November 11, 2005, at the Souris Valley Care Center, Velva.

Irene Louise Marsh was born on February 19, 1908, the daughter of pioneer parents, Norris and Alma (Boll) Marsh on the family farm in Pratt Township of McHenry County, rural Eckman, North Dakota. She attended one-room country schools and graduated from Glenburn High School in 1925. She earned a teaching certificate from Minot State Teachers College and taught in North Dakota schools for 26 years.

Irene married Curtis T. Stevenson of rural Eckman on December 27, 1928, in Bottineau, ND. They had five children, Donald (who passed away at the age of one), twins, Robert and Curtis J. ("C.J." passed away in 1997), Duane, and Lois. The family farmed near Eckman until 1949, then moved to a farm west of Velva. Irene and Curtis moved to Minot in 1967. Curtis T. passed away on February 19, 1977.

Irene was proud of her North Dakota heritage and was a very active member of her community. She belonged to the Rebekah Lodge. She was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Eckman, and Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND, and a current member of Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. In October of 2000, she entered Souris Valley Care Center, Velva, where she lived until her death.

Surviving family includes: children, Robert (Edna) Stevenson, Lewiston, ID, Duane (Helen) Stevenson, Big Timber, MT, and Lois (Clarence) Knutson, Peoria, IL;daughter-in-law, Eileen Ward, Las Vegas, NV; 9 grandchildren, Rick (Sharon) Stevenson, Hal (Vicki) Stevenson, Joel (Lenora) Stevenson, Sandra (Scott) Gress, Debra Knutson, David (Terri) Knutson, Audrey Pierson, Kimberly (Orlando) Chavez, and Vicki (Burl) Beley;13 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great grandchildren;
sisters, Alice Berg, Othello, WA, and Izetta (Arthur) Krenz, Minot; sisters-in-law, Mildred Marsh, Minot, and Ruth Marsh, Fallon, NV; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Curtis T.; infant son, Donald; son, Curtis J; sister, Blanche Bradford; and brothers, Ernest, Lester, and Everett Marsh; and great-granddaughter, Cody Gress.

Funeral: Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot, ND.

Interment: Wednesday at 1:00 pm at Riverside Cemetery, rural Eckman, ND.

Visitation: Tuesday from Noon until 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to Christ Lutheran Church, Minot, the Souris Valley Care Center, Velva, or to the Riverside Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, c/o Julia Johnson, 8080 17th Ave. NW, Maxbass, ND, 58760.

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