Irene A. Ogburn

Irene A. Ogburn (Grindeland) 96, passed away peacefully December 24 at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville. Irene was born August 22, 1919 on the family farm near Mayville, the fifth child of Martin and Marie Grindeland. She spent her youth helping on the farm and attended a country school near her home. She left home at an early age to attend high school in Mayville, graduating at 16. After a brief stint at Mayville State Teacher's College and working as a housekeeper, she became a licensed beautician. In 1940, she married Donald Ogburn, and the couple moved to Donald's home state of Iowa to farm. After a time, they returned to North Dakota, where they spent the rest of their lives, with Don working as a farmer and a mechanic. Throughout her life, Irene did what was necessary to maintain the family. She worked at various times as a beautician, grocery store clerk, school cafeteria staff, and self-employed upholsterer, along with keeping house and raising four children. She was also active in her community; she was involved with various civic organizations, including Pioneer Daughters, Homemakers, and the Goose River Heritage Board. At the center of her life, however, was her faith. Irene was not a high-profile individual, but had a quiet inner strength that came from an unfailing trust in her Lord. She attended services at Mayville Lutheran Church regularly, was a member of the Mary circle, and helped serve for countless church functions. Irene was a devoted wife and mother but found time to garden; she was well known in the community for her love of flowers. She and Don also enjoyed getting away with the family for annual vacations, often to Iowa and Wisconsin. In later years, she was able travel to Florida, Mexico, and Nova Scotia; she often talked fondly of a camping trip she'd been on to Yellowstone and the Tetons with her family. She is survived by her daughter Donna (Darrel) Bartholomew of Mayville; son Calvin of Raleigh, NC; daughter Becky (Bill) Papendieck of Eau Claire, WI; and son Shawn (Patty) of Mayville; 14 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren and brother Norman of Mayville. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Don; brothers: Bill, Palmer, and Manville; and a sister Hazel Sathra. Visitation: Will be one hour prior to the service at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel. Funeral Service: 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel in Mayville, ND. Burial: Will be at the Mayville Cemetery, Mayville, ND.