Irene Lila (Christensen) Rodness was born on August 12, 1907, on her parents farm in Normania Township of Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. She was the oldest child of Thea (Swenson) and Herman Christensen. She was baptized and confirmed at Spring Creek Lutheran Church of Normania Township. Irene attended a rural school and graduated from Clarkfield High School, Clarkfield, Minnesota. She completed Teachers Training Program in Montevideo, Minnesota, and was employed as a rural school teacher for several years. In 1934, she was united in marriage to Clarence W. Rodness, who operated a Construction Business in Clarkfield. Irene assisted with the business until his death in 1969. She also returned to work in the Clarkfield Elementary School as a tutor for many years. In that role she established a 'letter writing exchange' between students in Clarkfield and her grandsons school in Lexington, Massachusetts. She was an active member of the Augustana Lutheran Church throughout her adult life. She taught Sunday School, was Superintendent of Religious Education, served on the Church Council, and participated in the church women's groups. Irene enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and raised much of her own food. She was a member of the Clarkfield Garden Club from its inception and her enthusiasm and work resulted in an "Outstanding Gardener" Award. Another favorite pastime, which she shared with relatives was quilting. Irene also enjoyed traveling as a lifelong interest. This included at least two trips per year to Boston to visit her daughter and family. The last one was to 'usher in the millennium' this past year. Irene passed away at the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital, Montevideo, Minnesota, on Sunday morning, April 16, 2000, at the age of 92 years, 8 months, and 4 days. She is survived by her son, Roger Rodness, of Clarkfield; and her daughter and son-in-law, Avis and Kevin Tait, of Lexington, Massachusetts. She is also survived by four grandsons: Christopher, Timothy, Andrew, and Matthew; two sisters: Luella Stokke of Clarkfield and Mayvis Etrheim of Granite Falls, Minnesota; brother Herbert Christensen of Clarkfield; four sisters-in-law: Darlene Christensen, Minnie Christensen, Evelyn Christensen and Clara Christensen; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Rodness, and four brothers: Hanford, Oren, Clifford, and Walter Christensen. Irene will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her as a loving and caring person. Visitation Wednesday, April 19, 2000 * 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Prayer Service 8:00 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Thursday, April 20, 2000 * 2:00 p.m. Augustana Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Julie Smith Organist, Kathy Dufrane Soloist, Ross Riecke Casket Bearers Telford Berg, Robert Devereaux James Dotseth, Roland Ford Irving Rodness, Roger Tweiten Final Resting Place Fridheim Cemetery, Tyro Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota