Irene Ross

Irene Margaret Ross, 100, of Crookston, MN, and a former longtime Fisher area resident, passed away in the Benedictine Living Community of Crookston on Wednesday morning, October 13, 2021, with her daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Jerry Wardner at her side.

Irene was born on January 10, 1921 on the farm of her parents, Martin and Ida (Heydt) Wagner in Lowell Township, near Fisher. She was baptized in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fisher on February 6, 1921, and confirmed there on May 6, 1934, reciting her confirmation verse “Grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Irene’s early education began in the Sunnyside Country School not far from her family’s farm. She would later attend Fisher High School, graduating with the Class of 1938. Irene worked on her parent’s farm until her marriage to Amos Otto Ross on July 23, 1941 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Amos and Irene lived and farmed near Fisher and together raised their daughter, Gayle, in a loving Christian home. They were active members of Trinity where Irene also held memberships in the Ladies Aid and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, while also teaching Sunday school for several years. Sadly, Amos passed away on November 24, 1969. Soon after, Irene turned the farming operation over to Gayle and Jerry. Eventually she moved to Crookston and led an active life; bowling with her friends, swimming at the local pool for exercise, and playing cards, especially bridge. Irene continued to be a devoted member of her home church in Fisher, trusting that her deep and abiding faith would serve as her beacon for over a century. Every day she recited her favorite bible passage from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 28, verse 20 “Lo I am with you always, even until the end of the world.” Irene became a resident of Villa St. Vincent on April 26, 2017.

Irene will be very lovingly remembered and missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Jarold “Jerry” Wardner of Crookston, MN; 4 grandchildren: Jason and Nicole Wardner of Crookston, Joel Wardner of Grand Forks, ND, Chad and Kelsey Wardner of Grafton, ND, and Gina and Tobias Dewey of Oak Bluff, Manitoba, Canada; 11 great-grandchildren: Cody, Logan, Brianna, Calli, Jack, Wyatt, Karlie, Emily, Marcus, Matthew, and Rachel; and 2 great-great grandchildren, Charlie and Cecelia. She also leaves a brother and 2 sisters-in-law, Eugene and Gladys Wagner and Harriet Wagner of Fisher, MN; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Irene has been reunited in Heaven with Amos, her beloved husband of 28 years; her parents, Martin and Ida Wagner; and siblings and spouses: Lloyd Wagner, Delbert Wagner , Earl and Elizabeth Wagner, Evelyn and Noel Wentzel, Florence and Warner Wentzel, Betty Lou and Marlin Radi, and Rosemary and Eugene Morken. Blessed be the memory of Irene Margaret Ross.

The funeral service celebrating the life of Irene Ross will be held at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, October 17, 2021, in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Fisher, MN, with Pastor Douglas S. Thompson, officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral and the service will be livestreamed by going to Irene’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhoukse.com 10 minutes before the scheduled start and clicking on the prompt to view. Burial will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery, Fisher.

Online registry and messages of condolence may be made at www.stenshoelhouske.com