Irene Margaret Bolstad

Irene Margaret Bolstad, 91, of Floodwood, died Thursday, March 21, 2015 in the house where she was born in Halden Township. She was raised in Halden Township, attended school through the eighth grade at Halden School #111 and graduated from Floodwood High School in 1941. Irene earned her teaching certificate from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She taught school in Sturgeon Lake for two years and was also the Principal for the second year. Irene married Archie Bolstad on June 28, 1945 in Trinity Lutheran Church, Floodwood. The newlyweds were stationed at Hoquiam, WA until Archie was mustered out of the Navy. They moved to Fargo, ND while Archie earned his masters' degree in Chemistry. They then moved to Badger Village near Madison, WI where Archie earned his PhD in Chemistry. In 1950, Archie and Irene moved with their three children to Milburn, NJ and then to a larger house in Maplewood as the family grew. In 1957, 3M Company bought the chemical company where Archie worked and offered him a job in St. Paul, MN. In June of 1957, Irene, Archie and their seven children moved to Afton, MN where they bought and settled on a horse-riding farm call the "Two-bit Ranch". Two more daughters were born in Afton. Irene began playing the church organ at Memorial Lutheran Church and choir directing followed. Her eight daughters were involved in those choirs and soon became a choir in their own right. They sang in churches, nursing homes and other public gatherings including an impromptu concert of religious songs in the Capitol Rotunda at Washington DC in 1968 and onboard a Caribbean cruise ship in 2000. Irene started her sales career selling World Book Encyclopedias. She built her dream house in Afton before the children began setting out on their own. In 1977 she sold the farm and moved to Stillwater, MN. Irene loved to travel and became an escort for Wisconsin Northern Tours traveling all over the U.S. on week or longer bus trips. In 1982, Irene moved to the Floodwood area and quickly became involved with Hope Lutheran Church and served as organist there for 26 years. She also served on the City Planning Commission and was active in several women's groups. Throughout her adult life, Irene was involved in serving others, teaching children and grandchildren sewing, knitting, cooking, singing and encouraging a "joyful learning" spirit. She committed her life to Jesus at age 16 and throughout her life she encouraged others to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Irene was a member and former president of Sons of Norway, served as President of Northern MN Synod ELCA Women's group and had made a run for the State Legislature. She loved reading, learned water color painting, enjoyed gardening, and organized and led music programs at Villa Vista Nursing Home and Floodwood Public School. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Katherine Dahlman; brothers, James and Roger Tveit; and one grandson, Eric Corl. Irene is survived by her nine children, David (Ann) Bolstad of Floodwood, Janelle (Alan) Marley of Plains, MT, Dawn (Marion) Shafer of Floodwood, Nova (John) Burke of Spokane, WA, Faith (Patrick) Hopkins of Spartansburg, PA, Arlana (Douglas) Corl of Petersburg, AK, Laurie (Sean) Arco of Afton, MN, Joy (Dennis) Greene of Kirtland, OH and Marlys (Gregory) Seblink of Corry, PA; 45 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren. Memorial Services were held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in Hope Lutheran Church, Floodwood.