Irene Holen of Starbuck died Wednesday, April 20, 2005, at the Minnewaska Regional Hospital in Starbuck. She was 88. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Minnewaska Lutheran Church in Starbuck with Rev. Todd Klemme officiating. Friends visited from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the Starbuck Funeral Home, and one hour prior to services at the church Saturday. Burial was in the Minnewaska Lutheran Cemetery in Starbuck. Irene Evelyn Olson was born July 6, 1916, in Ben Wade Township, Pope County, to Albert and Annie (Halvorson) Olson. She grew up on the family farm and received her education at Country School District #32. She continued her education at the West Central School of Agiculture in Morris. Irene married Boy Boysen Nov. 20, 1935. The couple made their home on Irene’s fathers farm, which Boy had purchased a few years previously. Boy died March 29, 1957. Irene and her young children kept the farm going for four years. In 1961 Irene was married to Ivend Holen and moved to Kimball. Ivend died in May 1976 and Irene moved back to Starbuck in 1977. Irene was a member of Minnewaska Lutheran Church where she was active in the Ladies’ Aid, choir, quilting, and flower committee. She had a green thumb and loved gardening. Irene also enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, bird watching, and traveling. She was a member of the area Garden Club, District #32 Mother’s Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary in Kimball. She especially enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, son Boyd Boysen, grandson Craig, great-grandson John, brothers Orville and Albin, and sisters Isabella, Alice and Arline. She is survived by two sons Gary (and Shirley) Boysen of Farwell, and Glen (and Patty) Boysen of Coon Rapids; two daughters Helen (and Don) Dullum of Glenwood, and Kathy (Harold) Erpelding of Richmond; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Olivis (and John) Hanson of Hutchinson; brothers Bert Olson of Meza, Ariz., and Lloyd Olson of Starbuck; and sisters Sylvia Chlian of
