Irene T. Strand was born April 28, 1929, the daughter of Harry and Selma (Jacobson) Barkve near Depew, Iowa. She attended country schools. On July 6, 1947, Irene was united in marriage to Lloyd Strand at St. John's Lutheran Church, Depew. To this union five sons and a daughter were born.
The couple farmed north of Depew for 17 years before moving to Spirit Lake. They spent 20 years there, eight years in Terrill and the past several years, they have spent in Emmetsburg. Irene enjoyed baking, playing cards, traveling and spending time with her family. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Mary Circle, Sons' of Norway, and she was a volunteer at Lakeside Lutheran Home for many years.
Irene passed away Monday, April 24, 2006 at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Lloyd of Emmetsburg; five sons, Roger and wife, Rita of Spencer, Dennis and wife, Ruth of Blanco, NM, Jerry and wife, Kathy of Cylinder, Steve and wife, Nancy of Round Lake Beach, IL and Ron and wife, Renee of Spirit Lake; her daughter, Nancy Fear and husband, Dan of Milford; brother, Harry Barkve, Jr. and wife, Gloria of Cylinder and Loretta Piehl and husband, Ray of Wautoma, Wisconsin; 18 grand-children and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Marguerite Berkland and two infant grandsons.