Irene Opal Sponheim

Irene Opal (Haugse) Sponheim passed away on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD after a short illness. Memorial services will begin at 11:00 AM Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jasper, MN. Interment will follow at the Jasper City Cemetery.

Irene was born on September 22, 1924, to Oscar and Amelia (Carsrud) Haugse at Colton, SD. She attended school and graduated from Chester High School in 1942. She then moved with her parents to Baltic, SD, where they had bought the grocery store. On December 29, 1946, she was united in marriage to Gordon Sponheim at the Baltic Lutheran Church. They farmed near Jasper, MN for three years. In 1949, they moved to a farm east of Baltic. In 1971, they moved into Baltic and lived there until returning to Jasper in 1981.

Irene was a member of Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, and the Quilting Circle. She loved to spend time with her family, dance, bake, and play cards.

Irene moved to Aberdeen, SD in 2016 to live with her daughter and stayed there until her death. While there, she became a member of the Aberdeen Senior Center where she played whist and pinochle until she lost her sight.

Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Gayle Nelson, Aberdeen; grandson, Jarad Nelson, Aberdeen; great-granddaughters, Ava and Ella; and her nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; daughter, Jean; son, Mark; son-in-law, Dean Nelson; her parents; and siblings, Joann, Edward, and Reuben.