All Obituaries from Tollefson Funeral Home

Irene Askim

December 12, 1924 — September 25, 2017

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Irene Askim, age 92, passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Park River, ND.

Irene was born on December 12, 1924, in Latona Township, rural Adams, ND, to C. Arthur and Christine Bylin. She attended primary school in rural Latona Township, graduating from Adams High School in 1942. She attended Mayville Teachers College and earned her teaching certificate. She taught at Silvesta District 82, Adams, Norton District 69 and Lankin Public School, Lankin, ND. While teaching at Norton, Irene met her future husband, Harvey Askim. They were married on December 21, 1945. They farmed and raised three children, Gary, Dennis, and Arlyn. Harvey died on November 26, 1995. Son Dennis died on October 8, 1991.

Her life was filled with activities of living on a farm. Irene helped with trucking grain, gardening, and growing flowers. And there was taking meals to the field. She liked to take the pickup so there was the tailgate to set food on and a place for the men to sit. “Tailgating” has been popular for a long time!

Living on the farm near the creek was a joy. Irene liked the outdoors, especially sitting on the deck and enjoying the beauty of the farm. In the later years Harvey and Irene did some traveling. Many of these trips were with friends.

A favorite pastime was sewing, sewing most of her own clothes and also sewing for others. Without a doubt many knew her favorite color was blue. Another favorite of hers was cooking and the grandchildren especially remember her buns, milk shakes for breakfast, and doughnuts. Irene’s table was always plentiful for family and friends.

When asked what advice she had about faith, she said “Keep going to church to be fed spiritually and read the Bible, be well rounded in your life and lead by example and share your faith with others.” She was baptized in her Lutheran faith at Sarepta Lutheran Church, rural Adams, and later became a lifelong member of Hoff Lutheran Church, rural Adams. Her faith was a foundation during her 52 years as a breast cancer survivor.

Irene is survived by sons Gary (LeNae) Askim, and Arlyn (Veronica) Askim, Park River, ND; daughter-in-law Mary (Larry Lovseth) Askim-Lovseth, Grand Forks, ND. She also is survived by eight grandchildren, Craig (Margie) Askim, Beulah, ND; Lisa (Dave) Olson, Leonard, ND; Matthew (Patience) Askim, South Range, WI; Amanda Askim, Park River; Ryan Askim, and Curtis (Ashley) Askim, Lankin; Justin (Maren) Askim, Bismarck, ND; Michelle (Jason) Durso, Stanley, ND; two step-grandchildren, Joshua (Kelsey) Lovseth, Brookings, SD; and Jenny (Corey) Stenson, Alexandria, MN; 20 great-grandchildren; and sister, Carol Ondracek, Lankin, ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harvey; son Dennis; three brothers, Arthur Curtis, Jerome (Bud), and Vernon; and great-grandson Liam Askim.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at the Hoff Lutheran Church, rural Adams, ND. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Hoff Lutheran Cemetery.

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