Irene A. Kverne was a special saint who was born and joined her Lord, on her 96th birthday, November 15th, 2016. Irene A. Paulsen (Kverne) was born at her family's home in Clark County to Emil and Iva Paulsen. She was the middle child of eleven children and grew to know the Lord through the many hardships of her childhood during the dirty 30's and the depression. She worked hard in her younger years to graduate high school in Henry, SD and continued her education through a correspondence class in Accounting from Minnesota.

In May 1939 Irene was smitten by a young man named Palmer A. Kverne and soon accepted his proposal. They would court each other with love letters while separated at college for two years before becoming husband and wife on January 16, 1941. They soon moved to the western side of SD due to Irene's health condition. A few years passed and she was diagnosed with colon cancer; she was given a 5-year life expectancy and yet she survived over 40 years.  She was blessed on January 3rd, 1942 with their first daughter, Nadine Antoinette; then their son Palmer Jr. on May 3rd, 1943 whom died in infancy; and their second daughter Deborah Ann on November 27th, 1950 whom died at the age of 28.

When settled in Rapid City Irene continued to live her life for the Lord with her faith and serving others. Irene did this by writing her experiences and stories for Children Religious books published by the church and different magazines; along with crafting anything someone else would throw away into something beautiful. She also worked alongside her husband at Buckingham and Palmer construction, designed and fashioned her own clothing, created sculptures, helped lead a local 4H chapter, and submitting her award winning fair entries for over 50 years.  This gave her a great deal of joy to share how good the Lord was to her, though she had many trials in her life. In her later years, she watched over her husband as he got older and loved on her family. Palmer A. Kverne joined the Lord on March 24th, 2008. Irene continued to serve the Lord while living in her home until 2013 and then while living in assisted nursing homes until her passing.

She is survived by her daughter Nadine (Don) Warren of New Underwood, SD; granddaughter: Vicki (Rod) Volmer of Owanka, SD, great-grandchildren Candy (Brant) Wilcox, Kyle (Kristi) Volmer and Wyatt (Stephanie) Volmer; granddaughter Kerri (Clinton) Smith of New Underwood, SD, great-grandchildren Brandon Smith, Emily (Butch) Hamling, Devin (Jake) Scott, and Travis Smith; granddaughter Wendi (Jeff) Roberts of Rapid City, SD, great-grandchildren Lacey, BreeAnna, and Cord Roberts; grandson Chad (Tammy) Merchen of Rapid City, SD, great-grandchildren Levi (Brandie) Merchen, Colby (Ashli) Merchen, Madeline, and Donivan Merchen; granddaughter Kristi (Clayton) Lemke of New Underwood, SD; son-in-law Noyes Collins and his significant other Norma DiBartolo of Colchester, CT, granddaughter Colette (Richard) Holmes; granddaughter Tamarah (Nick) Fischer;  and Irenes' sister Clara Crozier of Aubern, IN and many great and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Emil and Iva Paulsen, nine siblings, her husband Palmer A. Kverne, son Palmer Kverne Jr., and daughter Deborah Collins.

Visitation will be from 4 until 6 p.m. on Sunday November 20th at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, 2700 Jackson Blvd.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 402 Kansas City St., with Rev. Wilbur Hotz officiating.

Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.

Arrangements are with Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.