Irene Anna Peterson

Irene Anna (Allen) Peterson passed away peacefully at the age of 104 on Wednesday May 28, 2025, at North Shore Living.

Irene was born on a cold January 22, 1921, to Ole and Anna (Swenson) Allen. As the youngest of seven children, she was cared for by her siblings. As an adult Irene then became a loving caregiver for many of her family members and friends.

In 1940 Irene married Edward Peterson in Duluth where they lived for five years. They moved back to Irene’s childhood home in Grand Marais where she cared for her father and she and Ed raised their four children.

Irene had a 27 year career at Grand Marais State Bank. She was the first person to learn how to use a computer. Always a good teacher, Irene enjoyed training her fellow bank employees the computer skills. In 1986 Irene retired to enjoy more time with family, time at her Devil Track Lake Cabin, reading, and volunteering in the community.

As an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Irene served as the treasurer of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Women. She also helped organized church events and baked for many activities Irene also volunteered many hours at the Johnson Heritage Post. She enjoyed her time as a member of the Grand Marais Lioness Club, the Bookies, the Grand Marais Garden Club and playing cards with her “Card Sharks” group. In 2005 Irene was chosen Cook County Senior Citizen of the year. She was honored to be named Angel of the Year at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Irene loved to travel. She took many trips with Ed, her sisters, and other family members in the US and Europe. A trip to Spain, as a chaperone with granddaughter Andrea and her senior class, was a special trip. Most of all Irene’s favorite pastime was spending time with her family, cooking countless meals, and attentively listening to everything they had to say.

Irene is survived by her daughters, Diane Enebak (Tip) and Susan Reinke, and son Glenn Peterson (Lorri); grandchildren, Jake Enebak (Becky), Leah Hendrikson (Erik), Peter Reinke, Christopher Reinke, John Kilsdonk (Lisa), Joe Kilsdonk (Leah), Kate Story (Paul), Andrea Everson (Tony); great grandchildren, Henry (Emily), Emma, Sam and Zach Enebak, Eva, Gwen and Lily Hendrikson, Samantha and Max Reinke, Danica Diver, Evelyn and Parker Kilsdonk, Natalya, Saija, Kieran, Cole and Hadley Kilsdonk, Emily and Ethan Story, Paige and Taylor Everson; and many special nieces and nephews and their families.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Ed; daughter, Janet Kilsdonk; grandson, David Reinke; granddaughter, Kari Kilsdonk; son-in-law, Kenneth Reinke; siblings, Einar and Clarence Allen, Judith Thompson, Mable Lund, Olga Erickson, Margaret Anderson.

The family wants to thank Dr. Michael Sampson and the wonderful staff at North Shore Living who so lovingly cared for Mom the past six years. We are forever grateful.

Please join us in celebrating Irene’s life on July 19, 2025 at 11 AM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Marais MN.To share a memory or leave an online condolence visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.