Irene Thurn, 98, of Wishek, ND, died February 2, 2024 at the Wishek Living Center. Funeral services will be on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 3:00 PM at St, Luke Lutheran Church, Wishek. Burial will be held at St. Luke Lutheran Cemetery.

Irene (Ulmer) Thurn was born July 10th, 1925 to William and Martha (Knoll) Ulmer, in their home 5 miles south of Wishek.  She attended country school just 1 1/2 miles west of her parents' farm until 8th grade.  She grew up with three sisters and eight brothers, doing various farm chores, field work, caring for her siblings, cooking and cleaning.  She worked in Bismarck at the Sweetheart Bakery and the airport restaurant for a short time, and then came back home.

Irene married Arthur B. Thurn on March 30th, 1947 in a small ceremony at his parents' farm.  They began their life together on a farm 10 miles SE of Wishek.  They raised small grains, milked cows and had chickens.  They sold cream to the local creamery in town.  In 1976, they bought a house in Wishek after selling the milk cows and Irene began working at the Nursing Home in 1978, first as a CNA, then laundry and then the beauty shop.  She retired in April of 2001.  When Art passed in 2008, she remained in their home until 2012 when she moved to the Wishek Living Center apartments, and then in 2017 she moved into the nursing facility.  She was a long time member of St. Luke Lutheran Church.

Irene enjoyed gardening and rummage sales.  She will be remembered for her spirited games of Rook, Pinochle, Skipbo and Chinese Checkers with her grandchildren.  She passed away February 2, 2024 at the age of 98.

Irene is survived by two sons, Marvin (Becky) Thurn, Champion, PA;  Larry (Brenda) Thurn, Wishek, ND; one daughter, Elaine (Mark) Unertl, Cottage Grove, MN; five grandchildren, Jessica (Kevin) Huber, Dustin Thurn, Rebecca (Joe) Bender, Kimberly and Katherine Unertl; five great grandchildren; 5 step great grandchildren; 4 step great-great grandchildren; one sister, Frieda (Bud) Billington, Sun City, AZ; sister in-laws, Caroline, Vivian, Jean, and Violet Ulmer; Leona, Marlene, and Shirley Thurn, Rose Bader and Lorraine Meidinger; and  several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Art, half sister Claire Speidel, infant brother, infant sister, sister Ruth Battles, eight brothers, Ben, Clarence, Wilbert, George, Emil, Norman, Oscar, and Johnny; seven brother-in-laws; Ben, Ruben, John, Edgar, Jake and Alvin Thurn, and Walter Meidinger and five sister-in-laws, Emma, Darlene and Helga Ulmer, and Elda and Pauline Thurn.

A Livestream of the funeral service will be available on the St. Luke Lutheran Church, Wishek, YouTube page.