IRENE F. WHITNEY

Irene F. Whitney, 87 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Monday, November 4, 2013 at her home. Funeral Services for Irene will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake. Rev. Jeff Nicle, Pastor of St. Olaf Lutheran Church will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Music will be provided by Lynne Webster and Audrey Myklebust. Irene Fay, daughter of Earl and Adrianna (Brink) Chambers was born on June 10, 1926 in Polk County, Minnesota. Irene grew up and was educated in Polk County, graduating from Crookston Central High School with the class of 1943. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Kahler Hospital School of Nursing in Rochester, MN. As part of her training, she worked at hospitals in Minneapolis. Irene was united in marriage to Robert Whitney on October 24, 1947 in Rochester. They established their home in Crookston, MN where they lived and Irene worked at a local hospital. In 1954 they moved to Fargo where they owned a tire business and together they raised their family. In 1965, the family moved to Devils Lake and Irene began a long career as a Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital. She especially enjoyed obstetrics and the nursery. Irene loved her job as a nurse and those receiving care from her know how skilled she was and how dedicated she was to the profession. Irene and Bob retired in 1985 and spent their winters in Arizona and their summers at the lake home on Devils Lake. But they lost their home to the rising water of Devils Lake. Irene loved to play Bridge and was a member of the local Bridge clubs. She enjoyed other card games, quilting and was a talented seamstress. She was able to play golf in both Devils Lake and Arizona and was even able to claim a hole-in-one. As Irene’s family and friends, we will miss her presence but have memories to keep forever. Irene is survived by her husband Robert of 66 years; children Linda Whitney of Valley City, ND, Roger Whitney and his wife Sunee of San Diego, CA, Susan and her husband Barry Lovgren of Devils Lake, Paul Whitney and his wife Amy of Seattle, WA; daughter-in-law Connie Whitney of Devils Lake; grandchildren Rick (Marci) Brown, Joshua (Mary) Christy and Jessica Christy, Jonathan Whitney, Ian Whitney and Timothy Whitney, Kala Lovgren and Andrew (Crystal) Lovgren, Dylan Pharaoh-Whitney and Theo Whitney; great grandchildren Makensie, Maddison, twins Reagan and Abigail, Sierra, Savannah, Zoey, Robbie, Sophie and Walker; brother Dale Chambers of Rochester, MN; sister June Fortier of Crookston, MN; several nieces and nephews. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; son, Robert Whitney Jr., great grandson, Ethan Christy; sister, Lola Utermark; brothers, William “Billy” Chambers and Floyd “Bud” Chambers.