Irene Adell Hansen Tiahrt was born April 15, 1921, in a small farmhouse at Carpenter, South Dakota, and died peacefully in her daughter's home on May 13, 2017.
As a child, she attended a one-room country schoolhouse which also served as the family's church which they regularly attended. During the Depression and devastating Dust bowl, her family lost their farm, land and animals. They moved to southeastern South Dakota, to find new land on which to farm in order to provide for the family of 10.
At age 14, Irene left home to find employment, and upon graduation from high school she moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She enrolled in a business school and worked as a cashier at a restaurant/chocolate shop. She later worked at a large department store until one fortunate day when she met the love of her life, Arnold Tiahrt.
They were married November 27, 1941 and lived in Marion, South Dakota until they sold their farm in 1976. During their 50-year marriage, they raised 6 children, farmed 400 acres of land, including a dairy farm.
Upon their retirement from the farm, Arnold and Irene moved to Arizona and enjoyed a few wonderful years together until Arnold was diagnosed with cancer and passed away just 6 weeks after their 50th wedding anniversary.
Irene moved to Tulsa, OK in 1996 in order to be close to children and grandchildren. In 2002 she moved to her daughter and son in law's home and lived with Steven and Denise until her death. During the next 15 years, she had a full life, actively involved at Woodland Christian Church, and continued her social activities, playing cards with friends at the Senior Life Center, and her daily breakfast at Phill's Diner. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Irene's hands were never idle. She had a passion for cooking and baking, and handicrafts, such as crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, cross-stitch. She spent hours crafting gifts for family and friends.
She considered her heritage to be, and in many ways she really was "a pioneer woman".
Irene had a strong faith in God, was compassionate, caring and forgiving. She was extremely generous with her time and money to family and friends and church.
Irene leaves behind 4 adult children and spouses: Jerry and Bonnie Tiahrt of Waycross, Georgia; Maurice and Melanie Tiahrt of Phoenix, Arizona; Diane Tiahrt (wife of Richard) of Tyndall, South Dakota; Kathy and Ronald Burge of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and Denise and Seven Landgarten of Tulsa, OK. She also leaves behind 11 grand children and 16 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Arnold, two sons, Ronald and Richard Tiahrt, and two grandchildren, Monica Tiahrt Higgins and Jennifer Burge Shatzer.

Irene's daughter Kathy is very involved in the ministry of "Friends of Colegio Moriah". This ministry supports a school of 400+ students. The purpose of this ministry is to give quality education guided by Christian principles. The way out of poverty is education. Irene supported this ministry so in lieu of flowers any memorial donations will be given to FOCM.

Friends of Colegio Moriah
13 Alfred Street
Houlton, ME 04730

Services pending.
Moore's Rosewood Chapel
918-744-1202