Irene Heskin

Irene Evelyn Hanson Heskin, 91, passed away as she lived; with friendship, love in her heart and busy until the last moment. She passed peacefully on March 14, 2017 in Larimore, North Dakota.


Irene was born to John and Clara Hanson June 15, 1925, in Portland, ND. She is survived by two of her six siblings: Donna Paulsen of St. Paul, MN and Beulah Huntsinger of Milwaukee, WI.


She was married July 1, 1944, to Norman L. Heskin and during their 27 years together, in Kempton, ND, they raised three children: Bonita (Bonnie) Selvig (David) of Pelican Rapids, MN; Daryl Heskin (Karen) of Lone Tree, Colorado; and Brian Heskin (Sara) of Ft. Collins, CO. She has six grandchildren, Eric Selvig (Monni) of Las Vegas, NV; Kirsten Selvig Moore (Matt) of Minneapolis, MN; Kam Heskin of Los Angeles, CA; James Heskin (Suzanne) of Centennial, CO; Robert Heskin of Los Angeles, CA; and David Heskin (Aloria) of Loveland, CO and 10 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind numerous friends in the community.

After completing high school, Irene kept books for several years on behalf of Kempton Grain Company and later became a licensed cosmetologist, opening her own shop in Larimore, ND. After retiring from her beauty shop, she worked as a candy and lefse maker and was known for always gifting treats to family and friends. Further in life, Irene became a companion to longtime friend Don Meland, their union lasting eighteen years. Always remaining active, she enjoyed both golf and tennis well into her seventies.

Irene was a generous person and was known for her beautiful needlework, quilling artwork, her hospitality and wonderful cooking. Lefse, flat bread, and chippers were her specialty. No matter what she had, she always shared, always gave and always loved.

It was in this giving manner that she made her final wish: asking for her earthly remains to be donated to the medical school of UND in the hopes of furthering science. She has said that in doing so, she hoped it might ‘help someone become a better doctor or learn something more’. This final act of generosity reflects Irene’s lifetime spent thinking of others and is a final tribute to her thoughtful nature.

She was a joy to her family and friends and will be deeply missed. But, we rejoice in the happiness she brought to all of us during her long and healthy life. Her faith sustained her and brought her peace and joy. She was very active in her Church participating in Circle and volunteering to her last day.

A Celebration of Life and Remembrance will be held at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Larimore, ND, on Friday, April 28, at 11am with a luncheon to follow in the Church Fellowship Hall. Memorial gifts given in remembrance of Irene will be used for a dedicatory bench in commemoration of her life. It will be placed outside the church for all to enjoy; to provide a place for those in her community to laugh with friends, enjoy a life’s moment or simply to rest.

Rest in Peace, G Granny. Yours was a life well lived. Go with God and may Jesus welcome you to your everlasting heavenly home.