Irene Bechthold, 85, Ramsey, MN formerly of Harvey, ND died Monday, December 26, 2016 at the Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey, ND.

Visitation will be Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey.

Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery, Harvey, ND.

Irene Walz was born on January 30, 1931 at Drake, ND to Fred and Katherine (Klaus) Walz. She grew up in the Drake area and graduated from the Drake High School in 1949.

Irene married LeRoy Bechthold on May 29, 1949 in Harvey, ND.

Irene and LeRoy lived and farmed southwest of Harvey. They moved into Harvey in 1968, and Irene worked as a sales clerk at Rexall Drug for many years. Irene also co-managed and operated the Harvey Livestock Sales Ring Café for a number of years. The café was known far and wide for its homemade meals and tasty pies. Irene and LeRoy moved to the Minneapolis, MN area where they lived for a short time before returning to Harvey. They continued to live in Harvey and owned and managed several apartment buildings over the years. LeRoy passed away on October 26, 2015 and Irene moved to Ramsey, MN to be close to her family.

Irene was a member of: The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Harvey. She was also an active member of the Harvey senior citizens center.
Irene loved playing bingo and cards, and she also loved cooking for others. She was well known as one of the best cooks around.

Irene is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dixie and Craig Hammargren of Fargo; son and daughter-in-law, Henry and Donna Bechthold of Elk River, MN; four grandchildren: Todd, Tarah, Whitney and Jessica; four great-grandchildren: Parker, Henry, Madelyn and Adeline; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband LeRoy; ten sisters: Mary, Emma, Lena, Hulda, Lizzie, Esther, Ruth, Catherine, Edna and Maggie; and three brothers: John, Fred and Herbert.