Irene Dorothy (Mallow) Besett-Durrett, after suffering from severe pain under the gentle care of hospice, passed away peacefully at 95 years of age on September 16, 2020 while praying The Lord’s Prayer with her two children.
Irene was born on May 6, 1925 in Fargo, North Dakota. Her parents were the late Harry and Clara Emma (Freitag) Mallow. Irene attended Country School in rural Aldrich and the Staples High School through the 9th grade.
On August 8, 1944 Irene was united in marriage with Merle Edgar Besett at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wadena, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with 2 children: Sheila and Gary. Together Irene and Merle made their home in Duluth, until returning to Wadena in 1948. Irene was employed at Montgomery Wards and then operated the Dairy Queen in Wadena. In 1971 Irene and Merle moved to Grove City, Florida where they bought Red Fish Lodge. After retirement they moved to Estero, Florida. Merle passed in 1988.
Irene married William Durrett, in 2000, he passed away in 2007. Irene continued to live in Fl near her daughter, Sheila. In July of 2014 Irene moved to Park Rapids to reside with her son, Gary. Irene enjoyed playing cards, canning, sewing, crocheting, quilting, and gardening.
Irene will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands: Merle; and William; and brother: Kenneth.
Irene is survived by her daughter: Sheila (Allen Debek) Besett of Venice, Florida; son: Gary Besett of Park Rapids; 5 grandchildren: Johnathan, Jamason, Julayne, Tamra, and Brandon; many other relatives and a host of friends.
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