Irene Lavon Whiteman

Published January 03, 2017 at 6:58 PM

Irene Whiteman, age 96, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Private services will be held. Irene Lavon Whiteman was born July 20, 1920 in Chaseley, North Dakota, to Andrew and Ruby (Dwelle) Knodel. She grew up and went to school in Hurdsfield, graduating from high school there in 1938. She was united in marriage to Donnie Whiteman on November 15, 1939, in Heaton, ND. The couple lived in Hurdsfield until 1942, when they moved to Lark, ND. Donnie was drafted into military service in 1944. Following his enlistment, they returned to Lark. From 1951 until 1980, she worked as the postmistress in Lark, and at the general store. The family moved to Flasher in 1983, and then to Brainerd in 2003. Irene was widowed in 2005. She was a lifetime member of Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary, and belonged to the United Church of Christ in Flasher. She enjoyed crocheting, baked amazing cookies, and had fun playing cards and games (Grandma's rules!). Irene will be remembered and missed by her children, Gary (Judy) Whiteman, of Brainerd, MN, and Gerald (Judy) Whiteman, of Fountain Hills, AZ; five grandchildren, Bill (Carla) Whiteman, of Nisswa, MN, Lori (Tom) Borr, of Mesa, AZ, Greg (Jamie) Whiteman, of Brainerd, MN, Rhonda (Ken) Schwartz, of Indonesia, and Lynn (Dean) Alcock, of Rochester, MN; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, four brothers, and three sisters. Arrangements entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter, www.brenny.com .