Obituary of Irene E. Glass

Irene Olson Glass, age 97, recently of Geneseo, died in her sleep peacefully at home on December 8, 2016. She was predeceased by her husband, C. Edwin Glass, parents, Henry T. Olson and Bessie Houge, sisters, Marvel Meyer and Evelyn Larson. She is survived by her brother, Otis Olson, children, Becky (Jim Creagan) Glass and Geoffrey (Deborah) Glass, grandchildren, Connor, Cooper and Cory Creagan, Hannah and Elliott Glass, loving nieces, nephews & cousins, devoted caregivers and friends galore. As a child growing up in Edgeley, ND, Irene could complete arithmetic problems in the time it took the teacher to write the problem on the board in her one-room schoolhouse. This ability served her well after she completed college and graduate work to become the first licensed woman contractor in the state of VA, serving as designer, general contractor, and realtor for over 100 residences "no two alike" in the Washington DC area. She also worked for Senator Milton Young of North Dakota in his office on Capitol Hill. While living in Florida, she worked with the Royal Palm Preservation Society and the Royal Poinciana Chapel on the historic restoration of the oldest house in Palm Beach ("Seagull Cottage"). Irene's pursuit of new and exciting experiences led her to make homes in Falls Church, VA, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Laguna Hills, CA and Des Moines, WA, as well as Geneseo. She was a source of strength to many. She served with the Red Cross in WWII and co-founded the Salvation Army Auxiliary in Palm Beach County. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 13, 2017 at 1 PM at the Geneseo United Methodist Church, 4520 Genesee St. in Geneseo. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Those who are unable to attend the service are also welcome to the reception to visit with family. In addition, another Celebration of Life will be held in Edgeley, ND in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Evelyn Larson and Irene Glass Olson-Family Scholarship #40046 at NDSU Foundation, 1241 North University Drive, Fargo, ND 58102, or online at www.ndsufoundation.com