Irene Lenore Zimmerman Anderson
Born: July 13, 1898 in a Oscar Township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
Died: March 29, 1999 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
Married: June 27, 1916 to Alfred Anderson.
Children: 10 -- Aldelore Clarice, LaVerne Harriet, Avis Mae, Alden James Gilmore, Irvin Ralph, Russell Milton,
Audrey Ione, Darrell Rodney, Merle Loren, Dennis Alfred.
Irene was the third child of Fred and Caroline Zimmerman. She grew up and attended school in Oscar township. Her
mother died when she was 3 years old and Irene and her father went to live with her aunt & uncle, Dave Zimmerman's, near Elizabeth. They had no children so she got all the attention. Two years later her father bought a farm next to her uncle Dave and remarried, so she was always close to them. Her dad, Fred married Bertha in 1903. Alice, Irene and Lloyd went to live with them in a small log home that was on the farm. The log home soon became too small and she and Alice milked 10 cows morning and evening so their father could help with building a new house. She attended school in District 61, a one room school house for all eight grades located about 1.5 miles from their home. Irene was the first student to complete
her 8th year certificate at age 13. This was the end of her education and she worked at home or for neighbors. At age 15 she went to Rothsay and worked in the hotel as a maid cleaning rooms and also helping in the kitchen. Rothsay was a big railroad town and much bigger and busier than it is now. Her sister Alice married Johnnie Moen and opened a restaurant which Irene worked in. This is where she met Alfred and fell in love. Alfred was the youngest of five boys and his father had died of Typoid Fever when Alfred was a baby. His mother was partially paralyzed from a stroke and Alfred was the only child still living at home. He was strong even though he was only 5'4" and weighed 145 pounds. He enjoyed music, playing the fiddle at barn dances and house parties. One of his hobbies was motorcycle riding dreaming of riding to Chicago and racing but never got that far.
On July 27, 1916, she married Alfred Anderson at the Justice of the Peace in Fergus Falls. They lived in the Rothsay area where they farmed until 1944, when they moved to Fergus Falls. Following Alfred's death in 1960, Irene continued to live in Fergus Falls until 1971 when she moved to Barnesville. From October 1992 - March 1999 she was a resident of Pioneer Home in Fergus Falls.
She was active in several churches throughout her life and participated in senior citizens groups. One of her favorite
hobbies was handiwork. She knitted afgans, doilies, Christmas stockings as each child was born and other items for family and friends. Her greatest joy was her loving family and friends and she kept in touch through letters and cards to family and friends. In a newspaper article that wrote about Irene's long love of knitting stated " if it weren't for all her visitors, she would probably knit all day". She created more than 160 knit doilies.
Irene was 100+ years when she died. She had trouble hearing and in her last few years went blind but that never dimmed her spirit. Some of us are lucky enough to have a remembrance of her talents and love.
Gail Messerschmidt, granddaughter: Of all the trips and things I did with Gram Irene the most special was our trip to Bayfield, WI in 1986. Gram was 88 at the time and we drove there to meet Avis and Russ to go sailing. It was September and the weather was cool, crisp and beautiful as only northern Wisconsin can be. We arrived their late one afternoon and went sailing early the next morning. What a blast… on a sailboat on Lake Superior headed for Madeline Island. Russ gave all of us a chance at the wheel. One of my best memories of Gram, a hugh smile on her face and her hands on the wheel of that wonderful sailboat. What fun we had.
Marilyn Proffitt, niece: Aunt Irene cared for her family and tried to always remember us with her doilies and sweaters.
Until her death, she sent Christmas cards and hand written letters. She upheld the honor of home building by being a great mother, neat homemaker, a good cook and hospitable.
Marge Wasmuth, niece: When our Mary was maybe 4 years old, my Mom asked Aunt Irene to knit a coat and hat for her.
Mary wore that until she grew out of it and then Patti and Julie wore it. It was a pretty blue color and when our girls could no longer wear it, I had it cleaned and kept it until Mary had her own little girl who also wore it. It was a very special gift to have knowing Irene had made it. She had a label with her name on that she sewed on all the garments she made. She never forgot my birthday. I got a card with a note she had written from the time I got married until shortly before she passed away. What special memories I have of Aunt Irene.
It's impossible to get all of Irene's memories in this small space. Two great books to read: ‘Precious Memories' by Irene Anderson and ‘A Tale of Two Mothers' by LaVerne Morstad.