Irene Paulette Severson, 86, Minot died on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 in a Minot healthcare center.

Irene was born on June 16, 1928 on a farm near Mercer, ND to Emanuel and Rosella (Fried) Makeeff. She was reared on the family farm, attended rural school prior to graduating from Mercer High School at age 16 in 1945. She continued her education at Minot State University, then Minot State Teachers College, where she earned a standard teaching certificate. As a young adult she taught school at Washburn and at rural schools near Wilton, Mercer, Benedict and Minot.

Irene married Alton Severson on October 22, 1950 in Mercer. They made their home on a farm in Afton Township of Ward County, south of Minot where they grew small grains and raised cattle and poultry. Irene was also employed as a nurse's aide at Trinity Hospital and for Dr. Dormont from 1961-1973. Following their retirement in 1989 they moved to Lake Metigoshe before returning to Minot in 1994. Most recently, they resided at Edgewood Vista.

Irene was a former member of Saron Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. Since they returned to Minot, she had been attending First Baptist Church and Our Redeemers Lutheran Church. Irene especially enjoyed quilting, sewing, reading, gardening, square dancing, traveling and camping. She had a special love for children and a desire to bring them the good news of salvation. Over the years she worked with Child Evangelism Fellowship and sponsored many Good News Clubs at her home and participated in their camps.

Irene's loving family includes her husband of 64 years Alton; children: Linda (Mark) Johnson and Mark (Laurie) Severson all of Minot and Marlene Severson (David Cooley) of McLean, Virginia; grandchildren: Adam and Nathan (Bethany) Johnson, Aaron Severson, Andrea Severson (Chris) Koppang, Laura and Matthew Cooley; great grandchildren: Aiden and Grace Johnson, Lily, Jax and Lia Koppang; siblings: Doris Lindteigen of Turtle Lake, Delores (Dale) Howe of Minot and Russell (Delores) Makeeff of Mercer; sisters-in-law: Geraldine Makeeff of Mercer and Betty Makeeff of Bismarck and multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Raymond, Arnie, Perry and Myron and great grandchild: Sophia Koppang.

Celebration of the Life of Irene Severson: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in Our Redeemers Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Saron Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Visitation: Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Child Evangelism Fellowship organization.