Irene M. Kluck

Irene Maydell Kluck, 90, Hawley MN; died on November 20, 2020 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo ND.

Irene Ford was born to Sidney and Rose (Burnside) Ford on November 19, 1930 at home in rural Hawley MN.

She grew up and attended school in Hawley, graduating from high school in 1948.  Irene worked at the State Bank of Hawley until her marriage to Everett Kluck, which was on October 26, 1952.  After their marriage, while Everett was in the army, Irene worked at the Hawley Creamery until Everett’s discharge.

In the fall of 1957, Irene and Everett moved to a dairy farm north of Hawley where they worked and lived until retirement in 1990.

Irene was Everett’s helpmate on the farm, helping with the milking, tractor driving, baling, lawn mowing, errand runner, and head chef.  She planted and harvested a large garden each year and enjoyed canning many of the vegetables she grew.  Irene instilled into her family the value of hard work and perseverance.  She showed silent strength in hard times and approached challenges with grace.

Irene was active in Hawley Lutheran Church for many years including the Ladies Aid and Circle groups.  She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary.  Irene was also a member of a birthday group for many years and enjoyed the friendships within that circle of friends.  She taught her family the importance of friendships and fun.

Irene had a love for baking.  She made cookies, cakes, pies, donuts, and of course, her chocolate covered cherries.  Irene loved giving her baked goods to family and friends.  A way that Irene showed her love to her family was when she shared her recipes and her secrets for making special treats.  Through her baking, Irene taught the value of giving and the importance of sharing her talents with many.

After retiring from the farm and moving into Hawley, Irene and Everett took time to enjoy activities they had not had the time to do while farming.  Their interest in craft making found them spending countless hours together in their basement building, painting, and weaving a wide variety of items.  Meeting with a morning coffee club in downtown Hawley was a favorite pastime.  Irene again taught an important lesson; the value of spending time with people you love.

Hawley Senior Living became Irene’s new home in January 2017.

Irene had a quiet strength about her.  She was a warm hug to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Her quick wit was a gift that she had until the end.  Even in her last days, she showed her humble spirit through her endurance through a most difficult illness.

Irene is survived by her 4 children; Gerry (Elaine) Kluck/Hawley MN; Deb Kluck (Tom Dooley)/West Fargo ND; Sherri (Eldon) Westby/Bluffton SC; David (Diane) Kluck/Hawley MN.

She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; Allison Stuart, Megan Brejcha, Gretchen Hjelmstad, Laura Cannon, James Westby, Marcus Westby, Nicole Kluck, Kaitlyn Kluck, Scott Kluck, Samuel Kluck; and 9 great-grandchildren; Annika, Sophia, and Lane Stuart; Noah and Caleb Brejcha, Emmett Hjelmstad; Sydney Cannon; Brixton Westby and Braylon Oliphant; and a sister-in-law, LaVon Ford.

Irene was predeceased by her husband, Everett; 3 sisters; Annie, Dorothy, Lucille and 6 brothers; William, Ralph, Henry, Ernest, Lester, and Clyde.

The family of Irene Kluck would like to extend a special thank you to all the friends and family who showered birthday cards to help her celebrate her 90^th birthday.  Her wish was to have a 90^th birthday bash, and the love that was shown through the cards, pictures, and words helped make her month-long celebration extra special.

We gratefully acknowledge your kind expressions of sympathy during this time of heartbreaking loss. We also want to thank Hawley Senior Living for the home environment they provided to Mom during the last four years.  To see her happy and healthy was a joy to us.

During her short illness, Sanford Medical Center provided exceptional care and compassion to Irene.  They supported Irene’s family with continual communication and reassurance.

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A memorial service for immediate family will be held on Wednesday, November 25 at Hawley Lutheran Church.  Please join the family via live stream from Wright Funeral Home’s website at 1 pm central time.

Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to:

Hawley Lutheran Church; 510 8th St, Hawley, MN 56549

http://www.hawleylutheran.org