Obituary for Irene (Ellinghuysen) Nerison

Age 84, of Brooklyn Park, passed away on Wednesday October 16th. Irene was preceded in death by beloved husband Dennis Nerison; parents, Paul & Elna Ellinghuysen; in-laws, Arthur & Hulda Nerison; Elaine & Rockwell Carlson, Vernice & Reuben Alitz, Merlin & Patricia Ellinghuysen, and Francis & Lois Hanlon; and nephew, Bruce Carlson. She is survived by her children, Marsha (William) McKibbin of Big Lake, MN, & Lee (Karen) Nerison of Corcoran, MN; grandchildren, Molly (Jared) Bradfish, Morgan McKibbin, Andrew (Anne) Nerison, and Shelby McKibbin; great grandsons, Liam Schuette & Briggs Bradfish; nieces and nephews.

Irene M. Nerison was a 1954 graduate of Winona High School. After high school graduation, Irene moved to the big city of Minneapolis, where she worked for J.B. Hudsons. It was while working there, she met Dennis, a Dayton’s employee.

Irene was united in marriage with Dennis Nerison on May 11, 1957 in Winona. They made their home in Brooklyn Park, and had two children, Marsha and Lee. The Nerison’s joined St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Osseo where she faithfully attended for sixty years.

Irene cherished her roots in Winona and visited as often as she could. She took pleasure in family gatherings with Elaine, Tudy, Merf and Lois’s families, and her world-wide travels with her siblings and their spouses.

Irene and Dennis enjoyed their Noble Avenue neighborhood and camping with friends. The “neighbor ladies” got together often to have coffee, and sent the kids outside while they watched their Guiding Light soap opera. Irene was fond of her neighbor group of left handed pinochle players. Irene was thankful for her dear friend, Ruth Beck, who often drove her, even around the neighborhood on Ruth’s tandem bike.

Irene was a thirty one year employee of Anoka-Hennepin School District 11, and worked as a school cook at Jackson Junior High.After retirement, Irene and Dennis moved to Mille Lacs Lake and enjoyed the serenity of their Cove Bay home.

Irene loved her family and doted on her grandchildren. They fondly remember her silver dollar pancakes and snacks of cheese, summer sausage and grape juice. Irene always had a stash of Tootsie Rolls in her purse for them. When playing cards with the grandchildren she could be heard reminding the kids to “keep your cards up to your birdies”.

Irene kept her family’s tradition of card playing, and could be found putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Any group gathering called for her goulash, and holidays a ham. Irene was a collector of loons, bells, and spoons from places she visited.