Irene L. Deines

Irene L. Deines passed from this life on Aug. 26, 2017, in Billings. She was born on April 29, 1921, in Logan County, North Dakota, the second of six children. Her parents, John and Matilda Lachenmeier, moved the family to Hardin in 1931.

Irene farmed and ranched her entire life, starting with hoeing beats 12 hours a day for her dad. She met her husband Alex while cooking for a threshing crew at the Deines Farm in Crow Agency. They married in 1941.

They farmed at Crow Agency until the spring of 1949. From 1949 to 1961, they farmed and ranched at Pryor. They sold the ranch and moved to Billings on Janie Street. In 1966, they moved to Duck Creek and grew wheat and raised cows. Alex died in 1976, but Irene continued operations there until moving to the nursing home in 2013.

Irene was an active woman. She and Alex square-danced many years wearing the outfits Irene sewed. She also was involved with the Billings Mounted Quadrille for many years, square-dancing on horse and performing at horse shows and rodeos throughout Montana and Wyoming. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and FOE in the 1980s and 1990s. From a young age, she was involved in 4-H, ending as the leader of the Pryor Creek 4-H Club in the 1950s.

She enjoyed the quiet country life at Duck Creek, but really enjoyed her Wednesday nights at Tryan's Auction. She enjoyed the companionship there and was sometimes better known as #118.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Dale Deines; and son-in-law Wally Henman. She leaves her daughter, Beverly Henman of Molt and son Gregg (Antoinette) Deines of Laurel.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Refreshments will follow at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John's Lutheran Home, Billings.

The staff at St. John's will long be remembered for their caring manner.