1924
Irene
2014
Irene Duda
January 24, 1924 — January 7, 2014
Irene Duda, 89, of Battle Lake, died Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at Battle Lake Good Samaritan.
Irene Magel (Dixon) Duda died January 7, 2014, in Battle Lake, Minn. She was born in Braham, Minn., Jan. 24, 1924, to Bernard and Nana (Lerfald) Dixon. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Clarissa, Minn. She was baptized and confirmed in Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Clarissa.
Irene graduated from Clarissa High School in 1941. After graduation, she started working in the Coast-to-Coast store as a bookkeeper and sales person. She moved back to Clarissa a year later to work at the Farmers State Band as a bookkeeper and teller.
On Aug. 18, 1944, Irene married Willard A. Duda, her high school sweetheart. After Willard was discharged from military service, they moved a few more times before settling in Elbow Lake, Minn. There they raised three children: Ron, Jane (Donna) and Jan. For several years, Irene was a stay-at-home mom while she also did volunteer work. The family joined the First Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake and became active in the church choir and Sunday school. Irene became president of the ULCA and served in leadership roles in other organizations.
In the early 1960s, Irene started working at the Bank of Elbow Lake as a teller. She held that job for six years before she took a position with the city clerk's office. The couple moved to Hudson, Ohio, in 1972 when Willard took a job in insurance and Irene worked for Lutz Insurance as an administrative assistant.
They moved back to Elbow Lake in 1975 where both worked until retirement. In 1987, they settled in Battle Lake. They joined the First Lutheran Church and Irene did volunteer work for the Food Shelf.
Irene sang in a sextet called the "Shepherds of Love." She always enjoyed singing. Music was a special part of her life. While growing up, her mother, brother and sister would sing together to create their own entertainment.
Life at Battle Lake was fun. She enjoyed having relatives come to swim and fish. Since her children and grandchildren all lived a good distance away, their visits were treasured by her.
Irene's hobbies included gardening, crocheting (she crocheted an afghan for each of her grandchildren's high school graduation gift) and baking – especially during the Christmas holidays. She loved to bake fancy Christmas cookies.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Willard, son, Ron, brother, Harlan, sister, Margie and other dear relatives. She is survived by her two daughters, Jane Neraas and husband, John, Butte, Mont., and Jan Dixon and her husband, Rich, Cortez, Colo. Also surviving her are four grandchildren: Luke Neraas, Anna Sparling-Beckley, Leah Shiflet and Nick Duda.
Funeral Services: 2 PM, Saturday, January 11, 2013 at First Lutheran Church, Battle Lake
Visitation: 4-7 PM Friday at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake - and one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Rev. Jake Dyrhaug and Intern Pastor John Telyea
Cemetery: Our Savior's Cemetery, Clarissa
Irene Magel (Dixon) Duda died January 7, 2014, in Battle Lake, Minn. She was born in Braham, Minn., Jan. 24, 1924, to Bernard and Nana (Lerfald) Dixon. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Clarissa, Minn. She was baptized and confirmed in Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Clarissa.
Irene graduated from Clarissa High School in 1941. After graduation, she started working in the Coast-to-Coast store as a bookkeeper and sales person. She moved back to Clarissa a year later to work at the Farmers State Band as a bookkeeper and teller.
On Aug. 18, 1944, Irene married Willard A. Duda, her high school sweetheart. After Willard was discharged from military service, they moved a few more times before settling in Elbow Lake, Minn. There they raised three children: Ron, Jane (Donna) and Jan. For several years, Irene was a stay-at-home mom while she also did volunteer work. The family joined the First Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake and became active in the church choir and Sunday school. Irene became president of the ULCA and served in leadership roles in other organizations.
In the early 1960s, Irene started working at the Bank of Elbow Lake as a teller. She held that job for six years before she took a position with the city clerk's office. The couple moved to Hudson, Ohio, in 1972 when Willard took a job in insurance and Irene worked for Lutz Insurance as an administrative assistant.
They moved back to Elbow Lake in 1975 where both worked until retirement. In 1987, they settled in Battle Lake. They joined the First Lutheran Church and Irene did volunteer work for the Food Shelf.
Irene sang in a sextet called the "Shepherds of Love." She always enjoyed singing. Music was a special part of her life. While growing up, her mother, brother and sister would sing together to create their own entertainment.
Life at Battle Lake was fun. She enjoyed having relatives come to swim and fish. Since her children and grandchildren all lived a good distance away, their visits were treasured by her.
Irene's hobbies included gardening, crocheting (she crocheted an afghan for each of her grandchildren's high school graduation gift) and baking – especially during the Christmas holidays. She loved to bake fancy Christmas cookies.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Willard, son, Ron, brother, Harlan, sister, Margie and other dear relatives. She is survived by her two daughters, Jane Neraas and husband, John, Butte, Mont., and Jan Dixon and her husband, Rich, Cortez, Colo. Also surviving her are four grandchildren: Luke Neraas, Anna Sparling-Beckley, Leah Shiflet and Nick Duda.
Funeral Services: 2 PM, Saturday, January 11, 2013 at First Lutheran Church, Battle Lake
Visitation: 4-7 PM Friday at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake - and one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Rev. Jake Dyrhaug and Intern Pastor John Telyea
Cemetery: Our Savior's Cemetery, Clarissa
Irene Duda
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irene Duda, please visit our flower store.