IRENE MARGARET. POWELL EDMISTEN was born August 6, 1926, at Oakland, Nebraska, to Sigfrid and Selma (Peterson) Carlson, who emigrated from Sweden in the early 1900’s.  She went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 15, 2011, at Oakland Mercy Hospital in Oakland, Nebraska, at the age of 84 years.

Irene lived most of her years on farms north of Oakland, graduating from rural school District No. 43 and Oakland High School in 1943. Following graduation she was employed by the Office of Price Administration in Oakland until the end of World War II when the office closed. She took a one-year business course at Midland College, Fremont, Nebraska, and then worked as a teller at First National Bank in Lyons, Nebraska, until 1947, when she returned to the farm to care for her invalid mother.

On June 19, 1949, Irene and Everette S. Powell were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church in Oakland. They lived with her parents on the farm, caring for them until their deaths in 1953 and 1972.  To this union were born three sons: Gary, Tom and Ronald. Everette died on February 19, 1984.  Irene and Richard W. Edmisten were married June 27, 1998, at their home in Oakland.  Richard died on October 15, 2007.

Irene was baptized as an infant in the First Lutheran Church and later baptized as an adult as a testimony of her faith at the Baptist Church.  She was an active member of the First Lutheran Church’s Luther League and women’s organization. In 1978 Irene joined the Ev. Free Church, where she became actively involved. For a number of years, she enjoyed working with the children in the AWANA program and also being a leader in the Free Church Women’s Ministry and White Cross.

One of her greatest pleasures was derived from volunteering at a weekly Bible Fellowship at Oakland Heights from the times of its beginning in October 1974. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Everette Powell and Rick Edmisten; brothers, Leonard, Paul and Raymond Carlson, daughter-in-law, Rhonda Powell and sister, Marie Anderson.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Joann Powell of Oakland, Tom and Debra Powell of Lincoln, Nebraska, Ron and Karen Powell of Edina, Minnesota; three grandchildren, Sarah, Amy and Karley Powell; and sister, Lillian  Mueller of Oakland, Nebraska.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Oakland

VISITATION: Wednesday 1 – 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 – 7 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation Thursday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Oakland Cemetery

MEMORIALS: Donor’s Choice

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Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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