Irene Mae Dirkson, 93, of Lewistown, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Lewistown, surrounded by her loving family.

Irene was born on May 28, 1933, to Joe and Katie Schanz in Laurel, Montana. The oldest of three children, and she was raised in the Big Coulee area south of Ryegate and attended Ryegate Public School. From an early age, Irene worked alongside her father in the fields, milked cows, and helped with the many responsibilities of farm and ranch life. When she wasn't outside helping her dad, she was by her mother's side, learning to garden, preserve produce, bake bread and cookies, prepare family meals, and keep a spotless home. . Irene took great pride in her lifelong career as a domestic engineer. Even at 93, her keen eyes could spot a speck of fuzz on the floor from across the room. Her high standards, strong work ethic, and attention to detail became hallmarks of the home and family she loved so dearly.

Irene met Theodore "Ted" Dirkson at a dance. Irene knew Ted was her Forever Man. The couple got married on August 5, 1961, and together they shared 64 years of love, partnership, and devotion. They were blessed with three children: Randy, Sherry, and Ellen. Through farming and ranching in Hobson and later in Lewistown, Ted and Irene built a life rooted in hard work, faith, family, and community. Irene worked beside Ted whenever needed and devoted herself to creating a warm, welcoming, and immaculate home when she was not helping her Forever Man.

She taught her children responsibility through a set of simple but unforgettable rules: If you use it, put it back. If you borrow it, take it back. If you make a mess, clean it up. And when you do your chores, do them right. Those lessons stayed with her family long after childhood.

In 1969, Ted and Irene moved to Lewistown. Irene traveled with Ted as he bought cattle and faithfully drove her young athletes to basketball games, speech and drama meets, and countless other school activities. Her husband and family were the center of her world.

When grandchildren arrived, they brought Irene immeasurable joy. She loved them with endless patience and unwavering support, while still expecting them to follow a gentler version of her well-known rules. She cherished weekly coffee gatherings with friends at the donut shop, preparing family meals for every occasion, vacationing in the mountains, taking Sunday drives with Ted, and hosting memorable Friday night boxing matches for family and friends. The love she poured into her family, her home, and her community will remain one of her most enduring legacies.

Irene is survived by her son, Randy (Diane) Dirkson of Glasgow; her daughter, Sherry (Ron) Hallquist of Hobson; her son-in-law Don Cerovski of Belgrade; her brothers-in-law, Joe (Pat) Dirkson and Jerry (Sharon) Dirkson; and her sisters-in-law, Diana (Brian) Zins, AnnaMarie Dirkson, and Marcy Dirkson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kevin Dirkson, Keith (Lindsay) Dirkson, Stefanie (Marcus) Smith, Jolene Martin, Kyle Cerovski, and Kelli (Cody) Tarver; her great-grandchildren, Octavian Martin, Leisetta Martin, Quinten Babcock, Kaia Dirkson, and Theodore Cerovski; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband and Forever Man, Ted Dirkson; her daughter, Ellen Cerovski; her parents, Joe and Katie Schanz; both of her sisters, Eleanor Bar and Dorothy Sperry; her brothers-in-law, Morey Sperry, Chuck Dirkson and Ken Dirkson; her sister-in-law, Katie Dirkson; her nephew, David Dirkson; and her niece, Laurie Anderson.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Philbrook Cemetery in Hobson, with Roy Koch officiating. Following the service, please join the family for desserts and beverages at the Senior Center in Hobson. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Irene’s name to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.