Irene Catherine Williams

Irene Catherine (Jeppesen) Hansen Williams, age 96, of Alexandria, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Edgewood Vista Memory Care in Alexandria, after seven years with Dementia.

Funeral services are 11 a.m., on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Leaf Valley with Rev. Scott Brown presiding. Interment will take place at the church cemetery.

The visitation is 5-7 p.m., Thursday, August 7th, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Irene was born June 4, 1929, William Emil and Laura Anna (Larsen) Jeppesen at the Redwood Falls Hospital. She was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian Church in Morgan and had a strong faith. She grew up with her parents and three brothers, William, Alton and Russell on a farm near Morgan. Irene’s mother had been ill for two years before she died in 1943, when Irene was just 14 years old. Irene took over the household chores and some farm chores at a young age. Her father did not remarry. She attended rural school District #49 and graduated from Morgan High School. After Irene graduated from High School, she became a LPN and remained so all her life until retirement. She met her future husband, Alton Emil Hansen at the Sanborn Roller Skating Rink and were united in marriage on February 18, 1950, at the Presbyterian Church in Morgan. Following their marriage, they began a dairy farm near Lamberton and had three children, Susan, Robert and Scott. In February 1964, they moved the family, cows, animals and equipment to the dairy farm near Leaf Valley. Irene was a loving mother, farmer’s wife and gardener. She also liked crafts and worked at the Quick Knit Shop in Alexandria. After selling their dairy herd Alton and Irene started Leaf Valley Woodcraft business making and selling wooden toys and crafts for many years. Alton passed away suddenly on August 8, 1979, at the age of 56. Irene worked at Bethany Home in Alexandria. She married Donald Williams on November 27, 1982, and moved to his dairy farm near Motley. She helped on the farm and worked at the Staples Nursing Home until Donald became ill. She took care of him at home until he passed away on August 7, 2006. Irene moved back to the Leaf Valley area in 2007, to a small house by Lake Vermont to be closer to her family. Irene enjoyed spending time with family, tending her flower gardens, gardening and riding around in her Ezgo golf cart with her dog, Harley. Irene had many talents - she could knit, crochet and sew. She made many beautiful baby afghans, table runners and gorgeous quilts. She was a very happy, loving and active person, always taking care of others. She will also be remembered for her teasing nature. Blessed be her memory.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; daughter, Susan Barten; brothers, William, Alton and Russell Jeppesen; sisters-in-law, Ada Jeppesen, Mary D. Jeppesen and Alta Coulter.

Irene is survived by her two sons, Robert (Rebecca) Hansen of Garfield and Scott (Kathy) Hansen of Leaf Valley; son-in-law Clifford Barten of Osakis; sisters-in-law, Mary Jeppesen of Springfield, and Maxine Jeppesen Gehbauer of Pensacola, Florida; grandchildren, Candace (Blair) Barten-Hastings of Florida, Colleen Barten of Alexandria, Steven (Mary Wessel) Barten of Nelson, Cody Hansen of Louisiana, and Kristy Hansen of Millerville; 15 great-grandchildren, 13 great great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.

Pallbearers are Kristy Hansen, Mike Jeppesen, Steven Barten, Justin Barten, Michael Barten, and Zachary Hastings. Honorary pallbearers are all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren.