Visitation will be on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 9-11 a.m. at Springfield Community Center. Following the visitation a memorial service will be held at the community center at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at the Hanska Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield. Online Condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Irene is survived by her sons, Larry (Carol) Olson, Kieth (Marjorie) Olson, Kim (Rhonda) Olson, and Todd (Chris) Olson; sixteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Rose (Raghnild Sperstad) Larson, eight siblings and two sons, Marty (Debbie) Olson and Darwin Olson.

Irene Larson Olson was born on January 6, 1926, to Jack and Rose Larson on a farm southeast of Rutland ND in Sargent County. She was the seventh of nine children. Her mother died when she was twelve years old and Irene worked for room and board during her high school years until she married Kenneth Olson of Geneseo, ND, in 1944. The family with five boys moved to Hanska, MN in 1955 to be closer to her father, Jack Larson and for Kenny to take a job with Kraft Foods in New Ulm. Irene was an active member of the Lake Hanska Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, and sang in the choir. She and the family were honored to represent the Holy Family in the Christmas Program one year. She was a spiritual influence for several churches over the years, organizing and conducting bible studies wherever she lived and worshipped.

After raising her family of six boys, she received her General Education Diploma in 1983, and she received her Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide Certificates. She cared for elderly and special needs patients in the Minneapolis area, Britton, SD, and Springfield, MN for families that still express their appreciation. In 1986, she traveled to Norway to find her mother’s birthplace and completed an extensive family history research project identifying the farms and families of her ancestors near Lom, Norway.

Irene was known for her musical talent as she could play guitar, piano, accordion, and harmonica by ear. She was also known for her cooking and baking skills which she credits to her mother-in-law, Selma Olson in her early marriage years while living on the Olson farm. For over 40 years, she baked her own bread and made donuts on the kitchen stove. She enjoyed keeping a garden and often raised chickens and geese to butcher in the fall. Some favorite dishes included scalloped potatoes, breaded pork chops, and roast beef dinner.

Irene adored her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She enjoyed watching them grow into adults and attending their many activities and events.

She had a style of her own and will be dearly missed by many family members and friends.

**Memorials are preferred to the Lake Hanska Lutheran Church.

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