Jean Irby

Jean Irby, 90, Fargo, ND passed away January 14, 2024, at River Pointe of Moorhead.

Memorial Service was held Jan. 20 at West Funeral Home Chapel, West Fargo. 

Burial will be in Warroad at a later date.

Jean was born July 30, 1933 at Staples. She attended school through the ninth grade in Staples before the family moved to Warroad  where she graduated as valedictorian from Warroad High School in 1951. Jean married John T. Irby on Nov. 23, 1952 in Warroad.

Over the course of their 71-year marriage they lived in Massachusetts, North Dakota, Illinois and Idaho, settling in International Falls where they raised their family and made many friends. Jean was active in the community, her church and volunteering. She volunteered many hours at Voyageurs National Park and loved spending summers at their cabin on Dove Island and later on Big Cormorant Lake; and winters in Fort Walton Beach, FL. She was a member of the Eastern Star and Sons of Norway. 

She is survived by her husband, John of West Fargo; three children, John (Jan) Irby of Casselton ND, Carol (Don) McIntire of Hewitt and Sue (Lance) Hightower of Terlton, OK; five grandchildren, Joseph Irby, Lindsey (Jeff) Bladow, Alexandra Tollefson, RaeLee Hightower and Sterling Hightower; one great-granddaughter, Ember Bladow; one sister, Ann Bailey; two brothers Jim Norris and Joe Norris and several nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by one daughter, LuAnn; one granddaughter, Laura Sue and one brother, Pat Norris.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials to the Rainy River College Foundation for the LuAnn Irby Memorial Scholarship fund.

Arrangements by West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center, West Fargo, westfuneralhome.com.

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