Irene Mary (Menager) Simonsen

Irene Menager Simonsen, age 91, died of natural causes on March 14, 2020, at her home in Victor, Montana.

Irene was born on August 25, 1928 in Ronan, Montana, to parents Frank and Alice Menager. Her family moved to the Bitterroot Valley when she was 5 years old.  She graduated from Victor High School.  She worked side-by-side with her husband in raising their family which they supported by cattle, sheep and mink ranching.

Irene loved to sing and was deeply involved in Lily of the Valley and Sweet Adeline’s.  She was a master gardener and active in the Victor Garden Club. Anyone who drove across Victor Crossing in the summer will recall her beautiful rows of gladiolus.  Irene was a gifted artisan, she loved to draw, arrange flowers, sew, embroidery and crocheting which she taught to her daughters.  Her family and friends remember her special talent of “stretching” the meal to include any guest that showed up a mealtime.

Irene is survived by her five children, Fred of Victor; Ralph (Karen) of Ismay; Barbara of Ismay; Anine McCallum (Kevin) of Miles City; and Cliff of Victor; and her brother, Phillip Menager of Renton, Washington; eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Clifford; eight of her nine siblings and one grandson, Zacharia.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and will be announced.  The family would like to thank Bitterroot In-home Care and Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice for their excellent care during Irene’s final journey. Donations can be sent to Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice or Victor Volunteer Fire Department.

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