Irene Mildred Parduhn

Memorial services for Irene Parduhn of Alexandria will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, with a visitation one hour prior to services.

Irene Mildred Parduhn, age 95, passed away at Alomere Hospital in Alexandria on June 9, 2023.  She was a breast cancer survivor and also lived with Alzheimer’s for the last years of her life before complications from a broken hip hastened her passing.

She was born to Peter and Annie Rempt on June 8, 1928.  Her mother passed away when Irene was very young and then Annette was her step-mother for many years.  She met Harold Parduhn in Raymond, Minnesota and on June 2, 1944, they were married in Roseau, Minnesota.  After a couple years, they moved to Deer Creek and raised their family of 6 children: Sharon, Linda, Bette, Cindy, Renee and Hap.

They had large gardens and Irene spent a lot of time gardening and canning for the family.  They found time though to go fishing - in summer and winter - as that was something they both enjoyed tremendously.  In their younger years they spent a vacation every summer traveling the US and later on, would spend summer weekends camping around the state or enjoying their cabin on Lake Miltona.  She loved watching the many campfires made while camping, at the lake or in the backyard fireplace!  She also spent time embroidering, crocheting, sewing and reveled in many card games with any friends or family who would sit and play a game with her!

When Harold passed away in 2001, Irene was determined to live on the lake permanently and created her dream home on Lake Mary, near Alexandria.  She was very proud of her home and loved every minute of it whether fishing off the dock, sitting on the deck or tending to numerous flower gardens and baskets.  She spent her spare time crocheting many afghans and doting on her cats, Bootsie and Maggie, who were her babies and were spoiled like it!  She also started going out to lunch quite often and discovered thrift shopping - 2 activities that were always fun and made her happy.

Irene spent many winters in Florida and relished countless hours walking the beach, collecting shells, shopping, eating out or sitting on the porch watching people stroll the beach.  She loved Florida so much that her Alexandria home was decorated in “beach” - with dolphins, shells, sea birds and beach scenes throughout the house.  

Irene was proud of how well she could fish, often citing the fact that men try to teach women how to fish, but women SHOW men how to fish!  She didn’t need a fancy set up - a bobber and worm worked just fine - and every fish she caught would result in a whoop of excitement!  One summer at the age of 90, a hook went through her finger - it was the first hook she ever had stuck in her and she made sure to tell the doctor that!  In the Alexandria ER, they have a large cartoon with notations of all the hooks they removed and from where on the body, along with name and age.  She would boast that she was the 2nd oldest person on that mural that summer!

She also enjoyed cooking for family and was especially proud of her fried chicken and fried sunnies!  Many people looked forward to it when visiting and missed it after having it over the years.

Finally, when asked what she would like in her obituary someday, Irene replied that she wanted everyone to know she was a Girl Scout when growing up in Raymond.  So now everyone knows that!

She is survived by her 6 children: Sharon Gruenhagen of Green Bay, WI, Linda (Gene) Tillman of Baxter, MN, Bette Parduhn DePas of Grafton, WI, Cindy Toth of Green Bay, WI, Renee Parduhn of Alexandria, MN and Hap (Cindi) Parduhn of Baxter, MN; along with 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.  She is also survived by Fred and Lois Parduhn of Hoffman and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold; sister, Mildred; and many sisters and brothers in-law.

Memorials may be directed to the Lakes Area Humane Society, 3811 Nevada St SW, Alexandria, MN 56308.  (320) 759-2260.

Cards and memories may be sent to Irene Parduhn Family, 5760 County Rd 4W SW, Alexandria, MN 56308.  These will be shared at the celebration of life memorial service which will be held at a later date this fall.