Irene M. Pommier, 98, Minot, died Thursday, February 19, 2009 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Irene was born August 1, 1910, the daughter of John and Anna (Dahinden) Zeltinger at Tolley, North Dakota. She was raised on the family farm and educated at country schools near Tolley. She graduated from Tolley High School in 1929 and attended Minot State Teacher's College. She later graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1963, and also attended Havre College in Montana to obtain teaching credentials to teach in Montana. Irene taught for over 32 years, first for ten years at rural schools in Montana near Inverness and Hingham, Montana. She then taught for ten years in Renville and Ward County, before teaching her last twelve years at Washington Elementary School in Minot.

Irene was married to Kenneth Bjork during World War II, and had been employed in civil service work at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, while Kenneth was stationed in the military. He died in 1964.

Irene married Victor Pommier in 1966. After retiring, she did volunteer work for the Salvation Army, Community Action, Commission on Aging and the Senior Citizen League of Minot. She had also served as a foster grandmother at Sunnyside School in Minot. Victor died in 1990.

Irene was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church and St Margaret's guild. She was a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Eagles Club, Moose Lodge and Minot Labor Temple.

Her loving family includes: son, Brad (Jean) Bjork, Minot, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, sisters Agnes Jochim and Hazel Jochim, both of Montana; step-children: Carol Linster, Minot, Kenneth Pommier, Solana Beach, CA and Lois Anthonisen, Flossmoor, IL; Twelve step-grandchildren.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, brothers, Joe and Clarence Zeltinger and sisters, Florence Resch and Mary Bauer.

Funeral service : Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.in St Leo's Catholic Church, Minot;
Interment : later in the spring at Tolley, North Dakota;
Visitation: At the request of the family, there will be no reviewal, however friends may sign a memorial register book on Monday from 1:00-5:00pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.