Irene W. Mack

   Irene Mack, 94, a lifetime Ponsford resident, peacefully entered eternal rest on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at her present home, the Heritage House in Sebeka, MN.    Irene was born on May 3, 1922, the daughter of John and Mabel (Speten) Halvorson, in Callaway, MN.  She attended country school near Ponsford through the eighth grade.  She worked at Halvorson’s Four Corners for the next few years.  Irene was united in marriage to James Mack on November 17, 1943 at St. Theodores Catholic Parsonage near Ponsford.  They bought a farm one mile east of Ponsford, on which they lived for 70 plus years, where Irene and Jim worked hard to provide a loving home for the six children they were blessed with.  Irene was an extremely dedicated stay at home Mom, grandma and great-grandma.  She always had wonderful baked goods waiting for her family when they came home.  She was also Jim’s right hand helper with daily chores on their dairy farm.  Irene enjoyed quilting, crocheting afghans and needlework.  In the summer she loved gardening.  They had a huge vegetable garden which provided an abundant amount of produce, which she canned or froze.  She loved picking blueberries with Esther Hendrickson, Bob and Ruby Schott and Greg and Julie Sitz.  Irene and Jim loved to dance to old time music.  She enjoyed playing cards, with “pay me” being one of her favorites.  Irene loved visiting with family and friends, and her infectious laugh could be heard to her last day.    Irene is survived by Jim, her loving husband of 72 years; 6 children: Con and Joyce Mack of New York Mills, Sandy and Ken Blauert of Detroit Lakes, Josie and Dan Niemi of Snellman, Larry and Kay Mack of Bemidji, Mary and Mark Johnson of Two Inlets and Henry and Jenny Mack of Park Rapids; 14 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; one sister, Shirley Sandberg of Detroit Lakes; 3 sisters-in-law: Mildred Bloomquist, Arlene Halvorson and Mary Mack; as well as  numerous nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by a special lifelong friend, Ruby Schott of Park Rapids.    Irene was preceded in death by her parents; 3 brothers: Jack, Walt and Phil; five sisters: Mae, Milly, Myra, Goldie and LaVonne; and several sister and brothers-in-law.    Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Tom Friedl officiating.  Casket bearers will be granddaughters and the honorary casket bearers will be grandsons.  Visitation will be held 5 to 8 PM Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and beginning one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.  Interment will be made at the Linnell Cemetery in Ponsford.