bituaries Irene Dehner

O bituaries Irene Dehner

Irene J. Dehner, 81, of Brockton died Nov. 3, 2020, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson.

She was born in Wolf Point on Jan. 6, 1939, to Edward and Alice (Lauridsen) Schwarzrock. She was the youngest child joining her sister, Pearl, and brother, Lyle. They lived on the family farm northwest of Brockton. She attended the Biem School and Poplar High School, graduating in 1957.

After a short courtship, she married Leon Dehner on June 8, 1957. She always remarked how far she had to move away from home, a whopping five miles. She lived within that five-mile radius for 81 years. They became parents to four rambunctious boys who kept them busy running to wrestling meets, going on family hunting trips and frequent trips to the emergency room. With the help of their boys, they farmed north of Brockton for over 40 years. She ground her own wheat to make flour for her delicious homemade breads. She loved to garden and canned the fruits of her labor.

She was the best hired hand Leon ever had. She would run for parts, could operate any piece of equipment on the farm and even did the occasional mechanic work. One year when Leon was sick, she pulled the engine out of the grain truck, tore it apart, rebuilt the engine and put it back in the truck, all by herself. In addition to farming, she also cared for numerous animals on the farm. The grandchildren have fond memories of helping her care for her little angora goats that she bottle fed.

She loved to sew and crochet. She made her children’s clothes, their winter coats, and she loved helping make costumes for the annual Christmas program, held at the Mineral Bench School.

After the boys were all of school age, she had several jobs outside of the home. She worked at the Cenex store in Poplar, A& S Industries, B& S Laundry Mat and the Poplar Schools. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and confirmation classes.

Generous and giving described her in every way. She loved being asked to watch her grandchildren as they were her pride and joy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon; grandson, Hunter Dehner; and great-grandson, Grady Sunwall. She is survived by her four sons, Raymond, Dallas, Todd and Ward; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sister, Pearl Floyd; and brother, Lyle Schwarzrock.

Services were Monday, Nov. 9, at Faith Free Lutheran Church in Brockton with Pastor Brandon Marchner officiating.