IRENE LAVERNE REED

Irene Laverne Reed, 78, of Duluth died Aug. 18, 2012 after a prolonged battle with Leukemia.

Irene was born in Palo, Minn., May 3, 1934 to Matt and Vieno Saari.

As a young woman, Irene attended the Duluth Business University for secretarial skills. She then worked as a secretary at the Dewitt-Seitz Company, furniture wholesaler, until they closed in 1961.

She eventually met her husband Raymond after taking a job at Minnesota Power.

Irene was always engaged in learning new things. She attended commercial baking and cake decorating classes at the Duluth Area Vocational Technical Institute, going on to create wedding and anniversary cakes for relatives and friends over the years.

She was an avid sewer and quilter. Irene also spent many years sleuthing out family genealogy, making new acquaintances across the globe. Determined in her search, she taught herself to read and decode historical records written in Finnish and Norweigan.

Finally, Irene was known for her love of gardening and cooking, surrounding her home with beautiful flower gardens and setting out meal after wonderful meal with seemingly little effort.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents and special grandmother, Liisi Koski.

She will be sadly missed by her husband of 43 years, Raymond; children Matt (Jennifer) and Jane; grandchildren Jocelyn and Jillian; sister Betty Lamppa; as well as many sisters and brothers in-law, nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: will not be held to respect Irene's wishes. Instead, join us for a picnic gathering to celebrate her life at the Pike Lake Auto Club on Aug. 24 from 4-7 pm. Arrangements by Sunrise Funeral Home.

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