Eugene Irion

Eugene ?Gene? Irion, age 75, died at his home in Fargo, ND on Wednesday, August 13, 2008. Eugene Irion was born on October 31, 1932 in Fredonia, ND to Otto and Anna (Haag) Irion. He graduated from Kulm High School in 1950. Gene taught elementary school for one year in the Holland School District and one year in the Lautt School District. He moved to Jamestown, ND and worked as a bookkeeper for the Nasch Finch Co. a short time before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Great Lakes, IL and New Port, RI. On a 10 day leave, he married Viola Wolf on March 24, 1954 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Fredonia, ND. Four days after the wedding, he boarded the carrier ship, Bennington, as a member of Patrol Squadron 16. He was stationed in Jacksonville, FL, Naval Air Facility Port Lyautey in French Morocco, North Africa (9 months), Airship Squadron 2 Brunswick, GA, Guantanamo Bay, Portsmith Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME, USS Wasp Homeport of Boston, MA, and Epdoconus, Bainbridge, MD. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1971, they moved to Fredonia, ND and farmed for 9 years. In 1980 they moved to Kulm, ND and Gene began working for Kulm State Bank as the Fredonia Branch Manager. They were also owner/operators of the Kulm Hotel from 1980-1995. During the summers of 1977-1980, Gene and Vi served as the caretakers of Whitestone Hill Battlefield Historic Site. Gene retired in 1995 and they moved to Fargo, ND. Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He had a heart of gold, sparkling blue eyes and a contagious smile. Gene love playing board games with his grandchildren, watching baseball, dining out, playing cards and telling his wonderful stories. Although Gene didn?t always feel well, you could count on him to say, ?I never knew life could be so good.? May God bless the memory of Gene ? always. He was a member of the Fredonia American Legion and Lions Club, the Fleet Reserve Association, an active member of Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Fredonia, ND, Zion Lutheran Church in Kulm, ND and Peace Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. He is survived by his wife: Vi; children: Perry Irion, Huntsville, AL and his daughter: Amber Lewter (Brandon), Tina Winther, Aberdeen, SD, and Edward Irion (Laura) Carrington, ND and their children: Christian and Anna; brothers: Willard Irion (Mary) Orofino, ID and Gordon Irion (Kathy) Kulm, ND; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters: Florence Schlecht and Adeline Dobler. Visitation will be from 5-7 with a 7 pm prayer service on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Fredonia, ND. The Funeral will be on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 1:30 pm at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Fredonia, ND. Interment will follow at Martin Luther Cemetery, Fredonia, ND. Arrangements entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. On line guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.