Irene Ann (Hartmann) Corrigeux DeWit, 99
Irene Ann Corrigeux DeWit passed away peacefully to the loving arms of her Lord at the home of her daughter in Dixon, California, early Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, 2019, just three weeks short of her 100th birthday.
Born Dec. 18, 1919, to homesteader parents, Albert G. Hartmann (1883-1959) and Margaret E. (Bauer) Hartmann (1889-1991), in Ethridge, Montana, Irene spent her early life on the prairie. She witnessed electricity and the telephone brought to rural Montana, rode a horse to school most days, and participated in the hard work of maintaining the family ranch east of Cut Bank.
On June 11, 1939, Irene married Archie C. Corrigeux (1907-1976), and honeymooned in Glacier Park. The couple farmed near Cut Bank for 10 years, and started their family, having two of their three daughters (Rose Marie and Ellen) while living on the ranch. In 1949 the family moved over the mountains to the Flathead Valley, settling in Columbia Falls. Archie worked in the carpenter trade and Irene raised her growing family, having had her final daughter, Mary. Irene loved flowers and had a large plot growing a wide variety. She also maintained an extensive garden, and is especially remembered for her red potatoes, carrots and peas. By necessity, as many wives of the time, Irene baked her own bread several times a week and treats like cookies, cakes and pies loved by her family — especially her three grandchildren.
A woman of deep faith, Irene was actively involved with Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for over 40 years, serving on the church’s original building committee in 1951, Sunday School superintendent and past president of the Ladies Aid, and other roles. Irene was active in many community service organizations while she lived in Columbia Falls, and would serve as a Columbia Falls librarian for over 20 years.
In 1981 Irene would be blessed to find love again and marry Klaas DeWit (1909-1994). Klaas and Irene spent many years enjoying their retirement, golfing, staying at Klaas’ small farm in Ferndale, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
In her declining years, Irene was lovingly carried for by her three daughters, eventually moving to Dixon, California, in 2014. She was preceded in death by her brothers Albert and Raymond “Stub,” her sister Marjorie Hartmann, husbands Archie Corrigeux and Klaas DeWit, and daughter Rose Marie Hughes (Duke Hughes).
She is survived by her sister Mrs. Betty Reed (Tom Reed), her daughters Ellen Hartmann (Tim Hartmann) and Mary Andrew (Dennis Andrew), her three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.