Lois Marie (Berg) Irion

Mrs. IrionLois Marie (Berg) Irion, 74, of Billings, departed this life at her home on Wednesday, March 29, 2006, following an extended illness. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gordon Irion.

Lois Marie was born on July 29, 1931, in Harlowton, MT, to Oswald and Ingartha Marie Berg. She was the youngest of four children. Upon losing her mother at childbirth, she was raised by her beloved Aunt Martha Carlson in Bozeman until the age of three. When her father remarried, she moved home to the Berg Ranch and attended school through seventh grade in a two-room schoolhouse in Lennep, MT. She returned to Bozeman to complete the eighth grade and high school, where she was involved in activities such as choir, band, and many school clubs.

In 1949, upon graduating from high school, she attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN for one year and Macalester College in St. Paul, MN the following year. Upon earning her teaching certificate, she returned to Montana and taught the primary grades in Martinsdale, just ten miles east of the Berg ranch. It was there that she met a tall, handsome railroader named Gordon Irion.

On August 3, 1952, she married the love of her life, the afore-mentioned Mr. Irion, in Bozeman. They were to have three children, David, Steven, and Kristin, and settled in the community of Harlowton, MT where Gordon was employed by the Milwaukee Railroad. She was very active in her church and in the community, especially in the American Legion Auxiliary where she served as District President and State Chairman of Music. In 1969, she and her family relocated to suburban Chicago, IL as Gordon was promoted to General Roadmaster. While in Hoffman Estates, she worked as a library technician at Conant High School. In 1974, the family relocated to Billings, MT as, after 30 years with the Milwaukee Railroad, Gordon accepted a position with the Federal Railway Administration.

Lois Marie was an extremely accomplished musician and shared her love of music with family and friends, both young and old. She taught piano lessons in her home for sixteen years, sang in her church's choir, and accompanied the Kiwanis Quartet in their performances all over the state. She was also a featured performer in the annual Minstrel Show in Harlowton for seventeen years, singing such hits as "Stormy Weather" and "Basin Street Blues". She enjoyed accompanying the Jotunheimen Jubileers, a local Norwegian choir group, and received the "Tusen Takk" award for her service to the local Sons of Norway chapter.

The last ten years, after the loss of her husband, have been very actively spent with her children, grand-children, and many friends. She was especially involved with the "Lois Club" and was a charter member of this social group of ladies, attending annual conventions in places such as New Orleans and Palm Springs. Afternoons were often spent around the bridge table, sharing coffee and conversation while attempting to add to her "bridge money".

Lois Marie is survived by her children: daughter, Kristin and Gary Scofield of Watertown, SD; two sons, Steven and Laurie Irion of Grand Junction, CO and David and Susan Irion of Billings, MT. She was also the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren; Jakob, Megan, Lars, Bjorn, Michael, Elise and Sonja.

She was a lady of gentleness, refinement, and talent, devout and dedicated, with an uncompromising regard for her family and heritage. We all love her and miss her so very much.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, April 1 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or to the Music Ministry at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.