Irene Winnifred Sweet Balow, of Mora, Minn., formerly of Superior, passed away on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at the Villa Health Care Center in Mora. She was 96 years old.

Irene was born on Dec. 9, 1912, in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada to parents Frank and Winnifred (Rapp) Sweet. She was raised in Superior and married Dale Balow in 1940. She worked in retail as well as the grocery store that she and Dale owned. Irene moved to Mora in 2003 to be near her daughter and family.

She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. Even though her eyesight was failing, she made quilts for each of her great grandchildren. Irene enjoyed playing cards and bible study with her friends at the Pine Crest Apartments of Mora, where she lived. She was also an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Mora since 2003.

She was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and will be missed by her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale Balow, sister Gertrude (George) Greenwood, and brother Frank Sweet Jr.

Irene is survived by her daughters Diane (Jerry) Torrey of Mora; Roberta (Robert) Tricomi of Cooperstown, NY; grandchildren Charles (Marnie) Torrey of Park City, Utah; Todd (Jackie) of Denver, CO; Derek (Kristen) Torrey of Eden Prairie, MN; Robb (Michelle) Tricomi of Odenton, Maryland; Stephanie (Ernie) of Denver CO; great-grandchildren Mikayla, Keegan, Kaleb, Justin, Hayley and Hunter Torrey

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 at the Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. Greggory Coop presiding. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. A private family inurnment will be at the Oakwood Cemetery in Mora. Arrangements are with the Akkerman Ingebrand Funeral home in Mora.

Superior Telegram
October 19 2009