Irene Wagner Desmond

A funeral Mass for Irene Wagner Desmond, 82, Dickinson, formerly of South Heart, is Monday, Feb. 18, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Rev. Kregg Hochhalter celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in South Heart.

Visitation for Irene is 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with a prayer service at 3 p.m.

Irene passed away Tuesday, Feb. 12, at St. Benedict’s Health Center in Dickinson.

Irene Kooren was born Nov. 7, 1930, in Stark County, the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Metz) Kooren. She grew up on a farm southwest of South Heart and attended school at Zenith Country School.

On June 21, 1949, Irene was united in marriage to Leo Wagner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in South Heart. The couple lived on the Wagner farm south of South Heart for a couple years before moving to their own place two miles west of South Heart. It was here where they raised their family, farmed, ranched and had dairy cattle.

Irene also worked as a nurse’s aide in Dickinson. After Leo passed away in 1978, Irene eventually moved into Dickinson and has lived there ever since.

Irene loved to garden and play cards with her card groups. She especially enjoyed visits from her kids and grandkids. Irene always had an open door and a hot cup of coffee for guests.

She will be remembered for her kind and generous heart, always making time to help others.

Irene worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital and later at Central Supply. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters.

Irene is survived by one daughter, Donna (Don) Veit of Dickinson and her children, Rusty (Bobbi) Tessier and children Ty, Tate and Gus of Belfield, and Zachary (Larissa) Tessier and children Hadley and Haden of Belfield; three sons, Jerry Wagner of South Heart and his children, Lorrissa (Josh) Bohlman and son, Cade of Bismarck and Miranda (Scott) Hufffman of Bismarck; Gordy (Susan) Wagner of South Heart and his children, Tara (Will) Wegh and children, Isaiah, Asia and Aria of North Carolina, Cristee (Brandon) Garcia and son Max of Texas, and Brooke (Jeff) Reed and son Cooper of Texas; Jim (Lisa) Wagner of South Heart and their children Amber of Grand Forks and Lexi of South Heart; one brother, Raymond Kooren of Missoula, Mont.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Leo; brothers Carl and Henry; and one great grandson, Hank Thomas Tessier.

Family prefers memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association – 7900 W 78th St, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55439.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.

Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson

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