Irene Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at the Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN at the age of 97.

Private family service will be held at Silver Creek Lutheran Church rural Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Ale Tulu Officiating. Burial will be held at Silver Creek Church Cemetery.

Irene Mary Dowacter was born March 13, 1923 on the farm near Thief River Falls, MN daughter of Daniel and Frances (Riedle) Dowacter. She was baptized at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN on June 24, 1924 and confirmed at Silver Creek Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. She attended Steiner Country School and Graduated from Lincoln High School in 1941. Irene worked at the Montgomery Wards in Minneapolis, in the catalog department.

On November 24, 1943 she was united in marriage to Jerrold Harvey Nelson at the Holt Parsonage. The couple made their home on the farm in Adgar Township and to this union five children were born Pamela, Melrene, Doyle, JoDee, and Danae. Irene worked side by side with her husband on the farm.

Irene was a member of Silver Creek Lutheran Church where she was President of the council and secretary and Sunday School teacher for many years. She was also a Silver Creek Homemaker and was a Silverton 4-H Leader. Irene loved family gatherings. She enjoyed playing cards and games with her friends at the Summerfield Apartments.

Irene is survived by daughters Pamela (Gary) Battleson of Thief River Falls, MN, Melrene (Larry) Kaiser of Thief River Falls, MN, JoDee (Ron) Reierson of Thief River Falls, MN, Danae (Joe) Khalaf of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Kimberly (Jeff) Langan, Jill Johnson, Jennifer (Randy) Smasal, Anthony (Eva) Klotter, Jeremy (Tara) Nelson, Jesse (Katie) Nelson, Lance Reierson, Christopher (Cassandra) Reierson, Brianna (Banks)Woodward; great-grandchildren Alissa (Zach) Anderson, Aaron (Emily) Langan, Adam (Amanda) Langan, Hailey (fiancé Kevin Fynboh) Johnson, Logan Johnson, Cole Johnson, Charlie Klotter,  Hunter Fonkert, Savanna Fonkert, Tanner Fonkert, Alec Smasal, Emma Smasal, EmmaRae Nelson, Ethan Nelson, Kayla Nelson, Lydia Nelson, Wade Nelson, Brittyn Reierson, Sydney Reierson, Eli Reierson, Emery Woodward, Julius Woodward, and baby Reierson in June, great-great grandchildren Henley Anderson, Thea Anderson, Solveig Anderson, Sloane Anderson, Evelyn Langan, Ava Langan and baby Langan in May; one niece Sharon Johnson of Snohomish, WA; along with several other nieces and nephews.

Irene is preceded in death by her husband Jerrold Nelson, son Doyle (Sue) Nelson, parents Dan and Frances Dowacter, sister Margaret (Rusty) Restemayer.

In Lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Silver Creek Lutheran Church C/O Zion Lutheran Church 505 Main Ave N. Thief River Falls, MN 56701.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com