Born ‎3 Jun 1917 Crosby, Divide County, North Dakota, died ‎26 Aug 1997 Crosby, Divide County, North Dakota‎, age 80 years

Born ‎11 Dec 1923 Wildrose, Williams County, North Dakota, died ‎4 Jan 2014 Vancouver, Clark County, Washington‎, age 90 years
IRENE ESTHER MCPHERSON
December 11, 1923 ~ January 4, 2014

"I have no worries!"

Irene Esther McPherson, 90, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away January 4, 2014. She was the ninth child born to John and Anna Fasching Renner in Alamo, North Dakota near where her immigrant family homesteaded in Divide County. Irene's brother, Alfred Renner, 92, is alive and still retains the homestead. He was also the brother that befriended and introduced Irene to her beloved husband, Walter J. McPherson, who passed on in 1997.

Irene's farm days transitioned to city life after graduating from Alamo High School in Alamo, North Dakota. She traveled to Seattle, Washington where she found employment, the pleasure of dancing, courtship with Walt, and marriage on June 21, 1944.

He served our country during World War II as she remained gainfully employed and carried their first born daughter. Maxine arrived making them a family in 1945. Irene and Walt expanded their family and daughters with the arrival of Marlene in 1947, and Maureen "P.D." in 1960.

Irene enjoyed her choices in labor, from the birth of her girls, to community employment which was concluded in 1988 as she retired from Boise Cascade after 30 years of exemplary service.

Irene experienced extreme contrasts in people, places and events, and when asked how she was, it was always an expression of gratitude and thankfulness. Her specific expression, "I couldn't be any better!", summed up her enthusiastic attitude of Joy.

In her leisure time, Irene relaxed by creating and sewing outfits and quilts. She was an excellent home economist and cook. She enjoyed everyone dropping in for conversation and a beer, preferably a can of Lucky or Coors Light. She liked to swing dance and listen to big band or country music. She traveled the highways and byways of the nation with her family. She enjoyed boating and fishing with our Dad too. They embraced their pet companions around the house.

Irene lived, loved, and mattered. She naturally was happy, content, accepting, pursued justice, was merciful, walking humbly with her God. She gave with a pure heart, exuded enthusiasm, lived with integrity, patience, humor, and treated people with courtesy, and exercised grace and empathy for the child, the ill, and the elderly.

Her faith was unwavering, her imagination widening and her love expanding. Life was good and she was sweet, fit, focused and polished. Her energy and laughter was contagious. She had an open mind and open heart.

"Mom's essence exists beyond the limitations of our senses, from generation to generation, the love story lives on through eternity, and it is a myth that matters of the heart are all accomplished between the dates of the dash."

Irene's thriving family are her children: Maxine (Mike) Rainbolt; grandchildren, Mary (Jeff) Nizich, Melissa (Ken) Williams; great-grandchildren, James, John, Samantha, and Joe Nizich, and Brandon and Katelyn Williams; Marlene Jean McPherson; and Maureen (aka "P.D.") (Bruce) Mandel; and grandchildren, Davis, Morgan, and Lennox Mandel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; her brothers, John, Eddie, Ernie, and Steve Renner; and sisters, Lizzie Anderson, Clara Sadowsky, and Julia Paulsen.

A public viewing was held. A funeral Mass was held on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 400 S. Andresen Road, Vancouver, WA 98661, and immediately followed by her internment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Mom's life celebration and reception followed, all were welcome.

The family wishes to thank the Persa Care Home of Vancouver, Washington for their tender and merciful care of our Mom as she transitioned through Hospice care.

Suggestions for donations include gifting to Hospice SW by calling 360-696-5100 or the Walter and Irene McPherson Memorial Scholarship established in 1997 to support educating ROTC cadets in all branches of service by calling 541-752-7326.

Published in The Columbian, Vancouver, Washington on January 10, 2014