Irene's Obituary
Irene Helen McNabb Johnson was born in Frazer, Montana to Leo and Lottie (Lingle) McNabb.
She was raised in and around Wolf Point. While living in Nashua, she met her futurehusband, Marvin Johnson. They were married July 6, 1951, in Nashua. They moved back to Minnesota where Marvin was born and raised. Their oldest daughter Marlis was born in Roseau, Minnesota. Then they moved back to Montana for a few years, living in Butte and Cutbank. While living in Montana, Irene gave birth to Marlene, Beverly, and Leonard. They then moved to California, where Irene gave birth to Peter and Clyde. They moved back to Montana for a little while, and then back to Minnesota, where Irene gave birth to Lester,
Barbara, and Charemon. They resided in Middle River, Minnesota, where they raised their nine children.
Irene was a very hard worker. She worked at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls, Minnesota for several years. After the youngest daughter Charemon graduated from high school in 1986, they moved back to Great Falls, Montana, where she has resided for the past 37 years. She worked as a housekeeper at one of the hotels. She also cleaned several offices around town, and did babysitting, until she decided to retire.
When Irene’s health started declining, she decided to move in with her youngest daughter, Charemon and her husband, Don. She lived with them until her passing.
Irene is survived by daughters, Marlene Babcock, Barbara (Alan) Herrig, Charemon (Don) Marney; sons, Leonard, Peter (Laurie), and Lester; grandchildren, Johnnie, Debbie, Dean, Lorrie (Mike), Melissa (Adam), Maral, Greg, Jacque (Terry), Alisha, Rhonda, Kirk, Michael (Amy), Lenny (Carolyn), Michelle (Todd), Leanne (Jimmie), Nathan (Jennifer), Veronica, Jared, Jason, Amy (Chris), Kenneth, David, Aaron (Sarah), Carrie, Amanda (Nicholas), Steven and Trace; step-grandchildren, Harvey (Vanessa), Adrienne, Trish; 86 great-grandchildren including some step-great-grandchildren; 42 great-great-grandchildren including some step-great-great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Curt Underdahl; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband Marvin; parents, Leo and Lottie; brother -in-law, Hilmer Johnson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Beatrice and Gilbert Olson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter and Julia Johnson; daughters, Marlis and Beverly; son, Clyde; daughter-in-law, Linda; brothers, Raymond, Wayne, Roy, Marvin “Dick”, Alvin “Pete”, Gene, Arvin “Chief”,
sisters-in-law, Donna, Grace, Alfreida and Brita “Bea”; grandchildren, Joshua, Mitchell, Krista, Danielle, Caroline Nieman (step great granddaughter); several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Irene was a member of the Great Falls Crown Butte Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses. She served faithfully for many years. Irene thoroughly enjoyed going out in service with other sisters, and attending the assemblies and conventions.
Irene will be missed by all who had the pleasure of getting to know her.
A Memorial Service will be held via zoom through the Kingdom Hall. A zoom link will be provided at a later date. Anyone wishing to log on to the service will be able to obtain the link from Marlene Babcock.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. tentatively set for Black Eagle Park. More details to follow.
Cremation has been entrusted to Schnider Funeral Home.
