Irene Syrstad, formerly of Orcas Island, died peacefully on March 27, 2011 at her assisted living facility in Longview, Washington.

She was born in Antelope, Montana on September 17, 1913, to Helen and Henry Gronvold. Irene grew up on her parent’s farm in Antelope, where she attended school and graduated high school in 1932. She moved to Seattle, Washington in 1935 where she married Hal Syrstad in 1937. She and Hal lived in Renton, Washington for many years before moving to Orcas Island in 1978 where they built their retirement home. Irene and Hal moved to Longview, Washington in 2006.

Irene was a wonderful gardener who enjoyed many happy hours among her flowers. She took pride in preserving the organic vegetables she grew in her garden and cooking healthy meals for her family and guests. She and Hal enjoyed square dancing, and traveling, especially to Alaska and their winter home in Oatman, Arizona.

Irene is survived by her sons John and his wife Wendy of Wenatchee, Washington, Jim and his wife, Kathy of St Helens, Oregon and daughter, Peggy Baumgardner and her husband, Steve, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She is also survived by her grandchildren Tracy Jones, Tanya Schneider, Garrett Baumgardner, Jenny Baumgardner, Erik Syrstad, Kirsten Humbird and 11 great grandchildren. Irene is preceded in death by her husband, Hal, her parents Henry and Helen Gronvold, and her sister Martha Lee of Plentywood, Montana.

Irene was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to so many. She will be dearly missed.

Submitted by Irene Syrstad’s family.