Irene Loire Olson

On Monday, January 16, 2017 Irene Loire (Langseth) Olson of Horace, ND, formerly of Moorhead, MN, passed away at Manor Care in Fargo.

Irene Langseth was born to Oluf and Jennie (Brandum) Langseth on March 10, 1922 in Cass County, North Dakota, joining her brother Orris and later by a sister, Beverly. Irene was raised on the family homestead in Stanley Township and attended Public School District 42 where she graduated from the 8th grade. She then attended Wild Rice High School and in 1939 graduated from high school in the Fargo-Moorhead area. She then entered Concordia College graduating with a degree in Home Economics and taught in Osakis, MN, Hitterdal, MN, and Glyndon, MN. In 1959, Irene graduated from the University of Colorado with a Master’s in Science degree. In 1961, she married Kenneth C. Olson in Minnesota and they enjoyed 26 years of marriage in Moorhead until his death in 1987.

During the 1970s, Irene obtained a degree in Dietary Sciences from NDSU. She then worked as a dietitian and dietetics educator in several hospitals and nursing homes in the area including Arthur, ND, New York Mills, MN, Twin Valley, MN, Ulen, MN, Lake Park, MN, Detroit Lakes, MN, Wahpeton, ND, and various other towns. She became a mentor and friend to many of her co-workers.

Irene enjoyed living out her faith by doing for others. She was generous and caring to many friends and family and enjoyed having lunch with them. She loved knitting and made many caps for the newborn babies at Sanford Health. Her love of teaching is a testament to her belief that education is a priority. Irene also enjoyed her years attending Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and very much enjoyed the visits from the pastor.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, and one nephew. She leaves behind her sister Beverly Barbee, nephews Gary Barbee and Stephen Barbee, niece Dawn Sheffield, and many relatives and friends near and dear to her heart. Blessed be her memory.