Irene Bursheim

Irene H. (Erickson) Bursheim, 92, of Breckenridge, MN, formerly of Abercrombie, ND, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at CHI St. Francis Home in Breckenridge.  Visitation will be Friday, February 7, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by her funeral service at 11:00 AM, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Abercrombie, ND.  Pastor Meggie Bjertness will officiate the service.  Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Abercrombie. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton, ND.

Irene Hazel Erickson was born on August 4, 1927, to Olaf and Olivia (Lotzer) Hestdalen in Abercrombie, ND. She received her formal education in Abercrombie; graduating from Abercrombie High School in 1946. She worked at Kresge’s Dime Store in the photography department as a teen. In the summer of 1944, Irene moved to Bremerton, Washington with her parents where she worked in the shipyards and moved back to ND in December of 1944.

Irene was united in marriage to Carlot Erickson on August 2, 1947, at Grace Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND after meeting him in a local restaurant in Abercrombie where she worked. They lived in Fargo, where Irene worked for J. C. Penney’s Company. Then in 1949, they owned and operated the Erickson Café, Abercrombie, for 1 ½ years. After this, Irene and Carlot moved to Wichita, KS, where Carlot worked at the Beech Aircraft Plant for about 3 years before moving back to Abercrombie. In 1954, Carlot’s job as a policeman brought them to Wahpeton where Irene dedicated her time at home to raise their children. In the summer of 1956, Irene and Carlot moved to Hawthorne, CA, where they lived until their retirement. During this time, Irene worked for the Mattel’s, Hughs Aircraft, North American, and Teledyne. At Teledyne she became a lead supervisor after taking communication and management training at El Camino College, Torrance, CA. She also worked for American Missile where she operated on the circuit board for the first lunar unmanned landing of the moon. After returning to ND in 1982, Irene also worked part-time for Ft. Aber Insurance and for NDSCS in the registration office. Then in 1984, Irene owned and operated Pleasant Presents Gift Shop with her daughter Ila in Abercrombie. Carlot passed away August 17, 1991.

Irene was united in marriage to Carlton Bursheim on February 22, 1997 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Abercrombie.  After Carlton’s passing on January 8, 2008. Irene continued to live in Abercrombie and be involved in her community.

Irene was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Abercrombie American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 128, Abercrombie Community Club as their history coordinator, and Friends of the Ft. Abercrombie. She loved photography, research history, crocheting, collecting angels, puzzles, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was strong, independent, and able to master anything she put her mind to.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Olaf and Olivia Hestdalen; her 1st husband, Carlot Erickson; 2nd husband, Carlton Bursheim; 3, brothers, a sister; 6, brother in-laws; 5, sister-in-laws; 1 daughter-in-law; and 2 great-grandsons in infancy.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Ila (Craig) Myhre; sons, Larry (Colleen) Erickson, Craig (Cathie) Erickson, and Timothy Erickson; brother, Dr. Darrel (Cheeri) Hestdalen; 4, step-daughters 10, grandchildren; 13, great grandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Abercrombie, ND.

Irene's Memorial Folder