Irene E. Carpenter

Irene E. Carpenter, age 90 of Grafton, ND passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at the Park River Good Samaritan Center.

Irene Eichele was born January 25, 1933 in Napoleon, ND, the daughter of the late Albert Eichele and Amelia Wiest.  She grew up and attended schools in Napoleon.  In 1964 she moved to Grafton, ND with her three children where she worked for Wally’s Bakery, the Deaconess Hospital and Grafton Developmental Center.  She was united in marriage to Wallace Carpenter on October 22, 1984 in Grafton.  She later ran a home daycare following her retirement from the Developmental Center.

She was a member of the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Grafton and later the Zion English Lutheran Church of Grafton.  She enjoyed going to church, listening to the Lawrence Welk Show, and Uncle Sig’s radio show, gardening and flowers. She also enjoyed listening to Sayler’s Polka Place on KSJB radio out of Jamestown.

Irene is survived by her grandchildren: Tami (Dwey) Craig, Grand Forks, ND, Rafael (Laura) Contreras Jr, Fargo, ND, Jennifer (Frank) Contreras, Saint Thomas, ND, and Travis (Michelle) Craig, Grafton, ND; 12 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; daughter-in-law Carolyn Craig, Grafton, ND; son-in-law Rafael Contreras, Saint Thomas, ND; close friend Linda Fillipi; and half-sister Fran Moch, Oakes, ND.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Wallace; children: Ralph Craig, Patricia Contreras, and Roger Craig; grandsons Troy and Jason; and half-sisters: Betty and Mildred.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 15, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton.  Visitation will be from 12:00 – 2:00 PM at the funeral home.  Interment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery following the service.