Irene Westman

Irene G. Westman, age 87, of Waseca, died on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at Waseca Hospital. Irene Geneva Taxdahl was born on a farm near Hannaford, Griggs County, North Dakota on November 13, 1922, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants Arndt and Ella (Johnson) Taxdahl. She was baptized at home on July 8, 1923 by Pastor K. P. Wuflestad. She moved to Dennison, Minnesota in June 1937, and was confirmed on March 31, 1942 by Pastor Erling H. Fretheim at Dennison Lutheran Congregation.   Irene graduated from eighth grade at Helena Township No. 1, a one-room country school in rural Griggs County, North Dakota in June 1936 and from Northfield (Minnesota) High School, with honors, in June 1943. That same year she moved to Minneapolis. Irene was united in marriage to Bert F. Westman on April 12, 1946 at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Pastor Elmer S. Hjortland officiating. Except for three years spent with her husband in Long Beach, California, Tucson, Arizona, Houston, Texas, and Ellsworth, Wisconsin shortly after marriage, Irene lived and worked in Minneapolis from 1943 to 1963. She worked in bookkeeping and auditing for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., Cargill, Inc., Falk & Co. (acquired by Cargill), and the Department of the Army. She and her husband also built a house on a half-acre wooded lot in the suburb of Plymouth and started a family. In 1963 the couple moved with their two sons to Waseca, where they owned and operated the Waseca Laundromat. Irene also worked as a cost estimator for the E. F. Johnson Co. from 1964 until her retirement on January 11, 1981. For many years she was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, Waseca, where she did volunteer work and taught Sunday School. Hardworking, intelligent, energetic, and inquisitive, Irene was a lifelong avid reader who loved to travel. She enjoyed her trips to Norway, Sweden, and most of the states of the Union over the years. Irene's moral and intellectual integrity set her apart. Author Ambrose Bierce observed that friendship is "a ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul." Irene, constant and steadfast, was different. She was a true friend who unhesitatingly did what was right regardless of personal or social repercussions. For her, love, loyalty, and commitment to the truth always came first. In later years Irene endured deteriorating health and numerous medical crises with matchless fortitude and unwavering spiritual resolve. Throughout her long ordeal her characteristic sweetness, good humor, and persistent love of life and will to live never flagged. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no memorial service or funeral ceremony. Interment in Westley Cemetery, Griggs County, North Dakota, will be private. Irene is survived by sons Paul Westman of Waseca and Jim (Coulette) Westman of Plymouth, Minnesota, brother Archie (Maxine) Taxdahl of Waseca, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Bert F. Westman, two siblings who died in infancy, Olaf and Myrtle Taxdahl, and four brothersa�"Hartvick, Eugene, Elmer, and Arthur Taxdahl. Irene is irreplaceable. With her passing, a rare and beautiful light has vanished from the world. Her precious memory will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who loved her.