Irene DeLila Whitman

Irene Whitman, 88, Robinson, died February 21, 2015, at CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, February 26, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Robinson, ND, with Rev. Valerie Kinlan officiating. Burial will be held at the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, Robinson. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Wednesday, February 25, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where an Eastern Star service will begin at 7:30 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Irene DeLila was born April 16, 1926, in Robinson, ND, the daughter of Emil Carl and Jennie Inga Molob Dehne. She was raised and educated in Robinson, where her family was engaged in farming. Irene married Harold E. Whitman in December of 1946 in Fessenden, ND. In 1964 they moved to Pettibone, ND, where they owned and operated a hardware store. In 1971 they returned to the farm near Robinson. Harold died September 15, 1977, in Bismarck, ND. Irene was employed at the bakery in the Roundup Warehouse in Steele, ND, for a short time. She babysat for the Don Ost family for seven years, and served as a teacher's aide at the Robinson School for seven years. In 1991, Irene became an assistant cook at Robinson's Senior Center, and helped out at the center for many other activities. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, listening to music, canning and gardening, growing flowers, and fishing. Irene was awarded a certificate for participation in the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Commodity Distribution Program through the Department of Public Instruction. She served on the Kidder Emmons Board of Council on Aging several years. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, and served on the funeral lunch committee. From 1951, she was a member of the Order of Eastern Star #118 in Steele, and was awarded a life-membership in the Order of Eastern Stars by the Bismarck Chapter. Irene is survived by her three sisters, Genevieve Nerby, Dawson, ND, Edith Otto, Mandan, ND, and Amanda Willis Koenig, Mandan; three brothers, Derril Anne Dehne, FL, and Marvin Phyllis Dehne, Tuttle, ND, and Emil G. Peggy Dehne, AL; and many nieces, nephews, and good friends. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her son, Earl; her brothers, Dale and Gordon Dehne; two brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

Irene DeLila Whitman

April 16, 1926 - February 21, 2015