Irene Anderson Obituary

Irene Marie (nee Olson) Anderson, age 97, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Sanford Foundation Cottage in Sioux Falls. Daughter of Carol and Betsy (nee Hagen) Olson, Irene was born on December 8, 1925, on the family farm near Portland, North Dakota. Irene was the second child of eight and grew up in Traill County, near Portland, North Dakota. Irene attended public schools and graduated from Portland High School in 1942. Sometime later, she moved to Fargo, North Dakota, and worked at JJ Newberry's. That is where she met Jim; he was the assistant manager. On November 20, 1948, Irene was united in marriage to James Pagel Anderson, Sr. , at the Aurdal Lutheran Parsonage in Portland, North Dakota. Their wedding did not start on time and was delayed due to a blizzard in Sioux Falls, causing difficult travel conditions for the Anderson family. Following marriage, Irene and Jim resided in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They then lived in a travel trailer, so they pulled it to Sioux Falls, parked in Jim's parents' yard, and lived. Due to Jim's management position with Newberry, the couple moved frequently: in 1951, Iowa Falls, Iowa; in 1953, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; 1957, Marion, Indiana; and in 1962, Mitchell, South Dakota. The couple wanted to live in South Dakota, so Jim left Newberry's and started a new career with Sunshine Foods. In 1964, they moved to Yankton, South Dakota; in 1965, they moved back to Mitchell, SD, until they settled in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1968. Irene dedicated herself to raising their eight children: Nancy, James Jr. , Kathie, Peggy, Sandra, Scott, Michael, and Kimberly. As a busy stay-at-home mom, Irene poured her heart and soul into her family, always putting their needs before hers. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother; her family was the center of her world. In addition to being a mom & homemaker, Irene worked some night jobs to still be home during the day. In Mitchell and Yankton, she worked in the hospital nursery. When they moved to Sioux Falls, Irene worked the night shift at Dixie Bakery. She still found time for cooking, cleaning, organizing, and making clothes for the girls and their dolls! She loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, and crafting. Irene and her sister-in-law, DorRayne Waring, enjoyed sharing craft projects. Irene also enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles and knitting scarves for the homeless. Irene moved to assisted living at The Inn at Westport in September 2021. She was in and out of the hospital during the last few years of her life, and on September 1, 2023, she decided to move to comfort care. Irene moved to Sanford Hospice Cottage, where she stayed until her passing on September 9, 2023. All her children could visit her during the week, and four were there with her. Grateful for having shared her life are her seven thankful children, Nancy (Russ) Lampy of Pierre, SD, Jim Anderson Jr. of Sioux Falls, Kathie (Neal) Levy of Cheyenne, WY, Peggy (Paul) Garten of Charleston, SC, Scott Anderson of Sioux Falls, Mike (Pam) Anderson of Dell Rapids, SD, and Kim (Rick) Wickum of Onida, SD; six grandchildren, Kristi (Mike) Mantoni of Winchester, VA, Daniel Levy of Cheyenne, WY, USMC MSgt Emily Levy of Bahrain, Keldon Wickum (Tiff Ripperda) of Pierre, SD, Kendra (Lex) Heathershaw of Wall, SD, and Andy (Rachel) Lampy of Platte, SD; five great-grandchildren, Owen, Josie and Turner Heathershaw, and Faye and Vera Lampy (two more greats are on the way); two sisters, Marjorie Montplaisir of Fargo, ND and Harriet Schmidt of Portland, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, James P. Anderson, Sr. ; daughter, Sandy Anderson; parents, Betsy and Carl Olson Sr. ; sisters, Eleanor Oslund and Lorraine Weeding; brothers, John Olson, Carl Olson Jr. , Hartvick Olson; sisters-in-law, Jean Olson, Donna May Olson, and DorRayne (Anderson) Waring, and Joyce (Anderson) Milan; and brothers-in-law, Larry Schmidt, George Montplaisir, Bob Olslund, Jack Weeding. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p. m. , with family present to greet friends beginning at noon on Monday, September 18, 2023, at the Miller Funeral Home's Westside Chapel, 6200 W 41st Street, Sioux Falls. A private burial will take place at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD, at a later date.