Irene Quaal

Irene A. Quaal was born September 15, 1916 in Swift County, MN, to James and Mary (Noard) Volgerson. She was baptized and confirmed at Big Bend Lutheran Church, Rural Milan, MN. Irene attended country school through the eighth grade. She grew up on the family farm and worked for several families as a nanny. While working for the Elmer Carlson family, Luella introduced her brother Henry to Irene. They were married on April 10, 1941 at the Big Bend Lutheran Church. Their family farm was in Lac qui Parle County. It was there that they farmed and raised their family until 1975 when they retired and moved to Forest Lake.


Irene was a longtime member of the Lac qui Parle Lutheran Church, rural Dawson, MN. She was active in the Ladies’ Aid, her circle and a Sunday School teacher. She was a busy farmwife and guided her four children through 4H, church and school activities. Some of her favorite hobbies were gardening, sewing, canning, quilting and card playing. She enjoyed cooking and baking and is especially remembered as the “Lefse Queen.”



Irene was very proud of her ten grandchildren and the accomplishments they had achieved. She was blessed with sixteen great-grandchildren that she affectionately called her “greats”. Her genuine love for children was exhibited by doing daycare for neighborhood children when they moved to Forest Lake.



Irene died in her home surrounded by her children on August 19, 2009. It was her dream to remain in her home. She was fortunate to live at home until the age of 92 years, 11 months and 4 days.



She is survived by four children: Maureen (Buzz) Johnson of Nisswa; Bonnie Kittleson of Sauk Rapids, Janelle (Gary) Brunkow of Herman; Steve Quaal of Lakeland; ten grandchildren: Matt (Lisa) Johnson, Jill (Jeff) Benda, Steve (Sarah) Johnson, Jon (Amanda) Kittleson, Jeff Kittleson, Jeni (Joe) Dietz, Sara (Mark) Williams, Scott (LaRee) Brunkow, Katie Brunkow, Melissa Quaal (Kieran Crowley); sixteen great-grandchildren: Sydney, Haley, Ashley, Alison, Ava, Elijah, Levi, Anna, Wyatt, Autumn, Elise, Cole, Annika, Brody, Callum, Jude; sisters: Marion Schaefer, Delores Erickson, Florence Munsterman; sister-in-law Deanne Volgerson; brother-in-law Milburn Quaal; several nieces and nephews.



She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, two brothers, husband of 58 years, Henry, and son-in-law Gary Kittleson.



Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday August 23, 2009 at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 N. Shore Drive, Forest Lake with visitation one hour prior to service. Interment at Scandinavian Cemetery, Forest Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Allina Home and Community Services, 1055 Westgate Drive Suite 100, St. Paul, Minnesota 55114.