Irene Howell

Irene Beatrice Ironheart-Howell (Oye Wasté Win ? Her Path is Good) was born November 24, 1931 in Minnesota Falls Township to Herbert and Bessie Ironheart. She grew up in the Granite Falls area and graduated from the Granite Falls High School in 1951. During her senior year of High School she lived and worked at the TB Sanitarium near Granite Falls. After graduation she worked at various places including the Pipestone Indian School. In 1952 Irene enlisted in the Woman's Army Corp. from Desmoines Iowa. She was in the Medical Field Services School and became a medical technician at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. She was chosen to attend nurses training in Michigan when she met and married Donald Howell Sr. who was also stationed in Texas. She was honorably discharged from service in 1953 and became an Army wife, traveling throughout the country following her husbands Army career of almost 30 years. She lived in Okinawa Ryukus Islands near Japan where three of her children were born. After her husband retired from service they returned to Granite Falls. Irene became a beautician in 1974 and later continued her education, receiving her BA Degree in Sociology at Southwest State University in Marshall, MN in 1979. Irene worked for the Upper Sioux Community at a variety of jobs including bringing the Indian Child Welfare program to the community. She was a Chemical Dependency Counselor, Mental Health worker, as well as served on the Upper Sioux Board of Trustees. She was Chairperson in 1983-84 and was the Tribal Treasurer from 1989 to 1993, during the creation of Firefly Creek Casino. After her retirement Irene and Don helped raise four of their grandsons. She enjoyed spending time with her family, visiting the casino and attending concerts. After a fall in her home and many health struggles, including a broken back that left her a paraplegic she moved into the Granite Falls Manor where she resided for three years before her husband joined her. Irene journeyed to the spirit world on July 20th, 2011 at 79 years of age, from St. Josephs Hospital in St. Paul MN surrounded by her loving family. Irene is survived by her husband Donald Howell Sr, sons Donald Jr and Herbert Howell Sr, a daughter Sharon (Ronald) Odegard, all of Granite Falls. Two sisters Lillian Ironheart-Smith and Marlys Ironheart, both of Granite Falls. Five grandsons, one granddaughter, five great-granddaughters, one great-grandson and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Bessie Ironheart, her daughter Carol Jean, her son Alvin (twin to Herbert), siblings Catherine, Alvin, Velma, Dwight, Ronald, Marie and Vivian and two nephews.