Irene Marie Kidder

Irene Marie Kidder, 89, of Fergus Falls died Friday, April 24, 2015 at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls.

She was born October 16, 1925 to Ernest and Martha (Cordes) Bartels of Orwell Township.
She attended School District 197 and graduated from Washington High School in Fergus Falls.

She married Joseph Kidder on Nov. 22, 1944, at St. Mary Madeline Cathedral in Salt Lake City, Utah. While Joe was stationed overseas during WWII, she lived with her parents in Orwell until his return.
After Joe returned from the service, the couple farmed in Friberg Township for six years until purchasing a farm and moving back to Orwell Township. They continued to farm and raise their family in Orwell until retiring and moving to Fergus Falls in 1984.

Irene worked many years for several families as a housekeeper, in addition to employment with Fergus Falls State Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital and St. Francis Nursing Home. She was also an employee of Norby’s Department Store for many years.

Irene was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and OLV Catholic Church. She also enjoyed being a member of the Orwell Township Homemakers, Sunshine Circle, St. Theresa Circle and VFW Auxiliary.

Irene loved to sew and crochet. She was able to sew quilts for all of her grand and great - grandchildren, wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses for family members and baptismal gowns for grandchildren. When she wasn’t sewing, Irene enjoyed puzzles, playing cards, fishing and dancing. Later in life she became an avid Vikings and Twins fan and enjoyed watching her grandchildren participate in sports.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Joseph; son, Terrence; brothers, Ernest Jr., Edward and Leroy Bartels; sisters, Louise Kroll, Val Halena and Elaine Frank.

She is survived by sons, Robert (Linda) Kidder of Fergus Falls, Randall Kidder of St. Cloud; daughters, Mary Jo Arnold of Logan, Ohio and Kristine (Mike) Ingvalson of Caledonia, MN; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2015 with a 6:30 p.m. public prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Father Alan Wielinski and Deacon Chuck Kampa
Interment: St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Olson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.