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- [S5] Obituary.
1908 - 2003
Mass of Christian Burial for Irene McCarten, 95, Sidney, was 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at the St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Sidney, with Father Francis Schreiber and Father Ned Shinnick presiding. Music was provided by Sharon Whited and Virginia Olsen. Casketbearers were Jim Dundas, Mark Dundas, Marty Dahl, Randall Gamache, Douglas Gamache, Kelly Indergard, Shawn Welnel and Kevin Welnel. Honorary casketbearers were all of Irene's family, friends and neighbors. Ushers were Jake and Cain Parker. Interment was in the Richland Memorial Park Cemetery, Sidney, under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
Irene was born to Lydia (Ferrell) and Martin Markuson in Larson, N.D., on Aug. 23, 1908. She was the eldest of seven children who grew up on a family farm outside of Williston, N.D. She learned at a young age the duty of farm chores and the raising of her brothers and sisters. Around the age of 12, Irene traded a cow for a piano and began playing at barn dances which provided income for her family. At one of those dances she met a handsome cowboy, Jim McCarten, and they were united in marriage on Dec. 16, 1926, in Sidney. They remained in love for 52 years until Jim's death in 1978.
Jim and Irene managed the Davidson's Cattle Co. for 20 years from 1928 to 1948 near Watford City, N.D., where Irene assumed the countless tasks of ranch life and mother always with a smile. Between 1949 until the mid-1960s, they had purchased two ranches, one in the Cartwright area and one in Savage. They bought a home in Sidney when they retired and Irene remained there until the age of 92. She then became the resident of the Sidney Health Center Extended Care facility in Sidney where she was treated with total love and respect until her death.
Irene loved playing the piano and organ, craft work, crocheting, and was a gracious hostess in entertaining family and friends. The coffee was always on with something homemade to eat. She was an active member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Irene raised four lovely daughters: Thelma, Betty, Rose and Marjory.
Irene was one of those rare and beautiful ladies with strong family values that have been handed down to her 17 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren who dearly loved her, along with many other family members and friends.
Irene died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, at the Sidney Health Center Extended Care facility.
Irene is survived by her daughters, Rose Gamache, Grants Pass, Ore., and Marjory Dahl, Lewistown; and a sister, Viola Butler, Tucson, Ariz.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Lydia Markuson; husband, James McCarten, daughters, Thelma Dundas and Betty Baye; brothers, Kenneth and Joseph Markuson; and sisters, Edna Saunders, Cordelia Wilder and Edith Amsterberg.
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1908 - 2003 (95 years)
