1935
Irene
2014
Irene Goldenstein
December 8, 1935 — April 18, 2014
Irene Anna Goldenstein, age 78 of Donnelly, MN, formerly of Isanti, MN, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2014. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Donnelly. Visitation will be at 10:30 am, with services at 11:00 am. Private interment will be at a later date at the Athens Lutheran Cemetery in Isanti, MN. A second service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Isanti, MN. Visitation will begin at 1:30 at the church.
Irene Anna Goldenstein, daughter of Otto and Ida (Renk) Widmer, was born on December 8, 1935 in Manago, ND. Irene grew up in rural ND. She attended her freshmen and senior years of high school in Herman, MN. She graduated from Herman High School in 1954. She moved to the Twin Cities, got a job at Twin Cities Federal Savings and Loan Bank in downtown Minneapolis, where she worked for 10 years.
Through her girlfriend/roommate Audrey (Gulbrandson) Sax, she met Clinton Goldenstein. They were united in marriage on October 20, 1956. They shared 48 years together. Irene and Clint were the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Dawn Marie and Linda Kay. In 1973 Clint and Irene built their dream home near Isanti, MN. Through the years Irene and Clint had many campers, their favorite being a Class A motorhome. They took many trips across the country, visiting their daughter, Linda in CA, relatives in FL, GA and all the places in between.
Irene was working at Ault Manufacturing Company in Isanti, while at work Irene had a brain aneurysm in 1989. She couldn't talk for 3 years and needed to relearn how to walk, talk, and drive all over again. She beat the odds and continued to live a happy life with her family.
Irene played 1st base on a woman's softball team, which won the championship that year. She loved riding snowmobile, camping, reading, playing cards with her special Friday night ladies, riding around town on her golf cart, and was very active in her woman's church group. She helped in any way she could, from knitting prayer shawls, quilting, sewing, and helping in every way possible.
Irene lost her youngest daughter Linda in a car accident on February 10, 2001. She was 34 years old. With the help of her daughter Dawn, they took care of Clint in their home until he passed away on November 19, 2002. Irene became the sole caregiver of Dawn, who was diagnosed with colon cancer, until she passed away on January 8, 2009, at the age of 43 years. Irene continued to live in her home in Isanti until she moved to Donnelly in 2011.
Irene was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September, 2013. Irene was in her home with hospice care. Debra and Jaclyn were always there to keep her company, and provide the extra care she needed. Irene fought a good fight but lost the battle. She passed away in her home with Debra and Jaclyn by her side.
Irene was survived by two brothers-in-law, Robert (Bob) Uhden, Donnelly and Marvin Johnson, Coon Rapids; sister-in-law, Della (Verle) Dunn, Donnelly; two special nephews, Michael (Mary) Uhden, Benson and Alan (Linda) Johnson, Maple Grove; special niece, "adopted daughter", Debra (Howard) Kill, Donnelly; great niece, Jaclyn (Scott) Raths, Donnelly and Irene's "adopted grandchildren", Tristan, Austin, and Amaya Raths; two godsons, Guy Thole and Derek Uhden and many other nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband Clinton; daughters, Dawn and Linda; her sisters, Lillian Johnson, Esther Uhden, Ida Bitterman, Wilma Traves; brother, Alvin Widmer and parents Otto & Ida Widmer.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Irene Anna Goldenstein, daughter of Otto and Ida (Renk) Widmer, was born on December 8, 1935 in Manago, ND. Irene grew up in rural ND. She attended her freshmen and senior years of high school in Herman, MN. She graduated from Herman High School in 1954. She moved to the Twin Cities, got a job at Twin Cities Federal Savings and Loan Bank in downtown Minneapolis, where she worked for 10 years.
Through her girlfriend/roommate Audrey (Gulbrandson) Sax, she met Clinton Goldenstein. They were united in marriage on October 20, 1956. They shared 48 years together. Irene and Clint were the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Dawn Marie and Linda Kay. In 1973 Clint and Irene built their dream home near Isanti, MN. Through the years Irene and Clint had many campers, their favorite being a Class A motorhome. They took many trips across the country, visiting their daughter, Linda in CA, relatives in FL, GA and all the places in between.
Irene was working at Ault Manufacturing Company in Isanti, while at work Irene had a brain aneurysm in 1989. She couldn't talk for 3 years and needed to relearn how to walk, talk, and drive all over again. She beat the odds and continued to live a happy life with her family.
Irene played 1st base on a woman's softball team, which won the championship that year. She loved riding snowmobile, camping, reading, playing cards with her special Friday night ladies, riding around town on her golf cart, and was very active in her woman's church group. She helped in any way she could, from knitting prayer shawls, quilting, sewing, and helping in every way possible.
Irene lost her youngest daughter Linda in a car accident on February 10, 2001. She was 34 years old. With the help of her daughter Dawn, they took care of Clint in their home until he passed away on November 19, 2002. Irene became the sole caregiver of Dawn, who was diagnosed with colon cancer, until she passed away on January 8, 2009, at the age of 43 years. Irene continued to live in her home in Isanti until she moved to Donnelly in 2011.
Irene was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September, 2013. Irene was in her home with hospice care. Debra and Jaclyn were always there to keep her company, and provide the extra care she needed. Irene fought a good fight but lost the battle. She passed away in her home with Debra and Jaclyn by her side.
Irene was survived by two brothers-in-law, Robert (Bob) Uhden, Donnelly and Marvin Johnson, Coon Rapids; sister-in-law, Della (Verle) Dunn, Donnelly; two special nephews, Michael (Mary) Uhden, Benson and Alan (Linda) Johnson, Maple Grove; special niece, "adopted daughter", Debra (Howard) Kill, Donnelly; great niece, Jaclyn (Scott) Raths, Donnelly and Irene's "adopted grandchildren", Tristan, Austin, and Amaya Raths; two godsons, Guy Thole and Derek Uhden and many other nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband Clinton; daughters, Dawn and Linda; her sisters, Lillian Johnson, Esther Uhden, Ida Bitterman, Wilma Traves; brother, Alvin Widmer and parents Otto & Ida Widmer.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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