Irene A. Krebsbach, 96 of Cando, formerly of Starkweather and Devils Lake, ND, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in the loving care of her family at the Towner County Living Center in Cando.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Cando following fellowship at the Parish Center in Devils Lake.
Irene Ann, daughter of John B. and Mary (Uhlenkamp) Gangl was born on July 20, 1926, at Calio, North Dakota. She grew up on the family farm in the St. Joe area, attended school in St. Joe and Starkweather and graduated from Starkweather High School. Growing up on the farm meant helping with chores, working in the cook car during harvest and doing whatever it took to keep the farm going.
Irene was united in marriage to her beloved Walter Krebsbach on Nov. 6, 1947, at Starkweather. They established their home on the farm in Coolen Township; living, working side by side and raising their family. They called it home for 30 years until Walter died on September 30, 1978.
Following Walter’s death, Irene moved to Cando, with their 2 younger children and Brian. She worked as a salesclerk at Sitz Hardware for 20 years to support and provide for her family. She was never idle and did painting and wallpaper hanging for many years. She was an active member of the Happy Hustlers Homemakers Club for many years also.
In 2010, Irene retired and moved to Devils Lake where she lived until moving to the Towner County Living Center in 2021.
Irene and Walter always worked hard but did enjoy mixed league bowling and after Walter’s death Irene was in a women’s league. Irene so enjoyed playing cards, dice games and quilting. She loved spending time with family and friends, but kept active out and about in every community, meeting with old friends and making new ones.
Irene’s faith brought her through the many trials and tribulations of her life. She was active in the church and the Altar Society in every town she made her home, including Assumption of Mary in Starkweather, Sacred Heart Church in Cando and St. Joseph Church in Devils Lake.
Irene put her whole heart in to raising her family, loving each child, grandchild, great grandchild and great great grandchildren unconditionally. They were all her pride and joy.
Irene’s loving family include her children; Mark (Kim) Krebsbach, Oberon ND, Tim (Kaye) Krebsbach, Terry MT, Scott (Kimberly) Krebsbach, Grand Forks ND, Lori (Rick) Reed, Cando ND and Brian Johnson of Cando, Walter and Irene’s nephew who they raised as their own; grandchildren Jill (Kory) Ramsey, Rotan TX, Cole Krebsbach, Angel Fire NM; Ty (Sara) Krebsbach, Corpus Christi TX, Linsey (Marc) Ritteman, Berthold ND; Stephanie Krebsbach, CA, Mia Krebsbach-Garcia, CA, Justin Krebsbach, Grand Forks ND; Jessica (Brady) Stoll, Leeds ND, Natasha (Nick) Nelson, Fargo ND, Derrick (Ashley) Reed, Churchs Ferry ND; seventeen great grandchildren Lauren, Caden, Braden, Ilana, Oran, Autumn Irene, Grace, McKenna, Luke, Grayson, Braxton, Huxley, Navrick, Neely, Isla, Hadley and Norah; great great grandsons Camden and Grayson; sisters Ann Hunt and Mary Lou Belford both of Devils Lake; sister-in-law Carol Gangl of Enderlin ND; many nieces, nephews and their families.
Preceded by her parents, husband Walter, sisters Rita LaFontaine, Elvera Johnson and Alice Heisler, brothers Walter “Wally”, Ralph, Harry, Donald and his twin brother Robert, and Jimmy Gangl. Her In-laws Gertrude and Joe Krebsbach, brother-in-law Alfred Krebsbach and sister & brother-in-law Ermaline and Louis Allery.