Irene (Hager) Streifel of Jamestown, North Dakota passed away on June 2, 2020, peacefully in her home surrounded by her children, after a beautiful life well lived. She was a proud North Dakota native and co-founder of Jamestown Electric.

Born on December 7, 1937, in Selz, North Dakota, she was the sixth child of John and Magdalena (Miltenberger) Hager. Her parents’ families were Germans from Russia and settled in north central North Dakota. Irene grew up on the family farm north of Devils Lake, ND and learned to cook and bake for the family and Sunday visitors. Irene graduated in 1955 from Devils Lake High School. She later moved to Fargo, ND where she continued her courtship with her husband, Elmer B. Streifel, who was from Esmond, North Dakota. Elmer and Irene were married on April 6, 1959 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake, North Dakota. She and Elmer moved to Jamestown in 1964.

Irene was employed in a bookkeeper capacity while living in Devils Lake and Fargo; including North Star Beer Distributor, Western Auto Supply, City of Fargo Auditors Office and Dakota Clinic. Upon her move to Jamestown, she lovingly spent time at home with her four children, before starting her 38.5 year career at Jamestown Hospital (JRMC). She worked in the business office specializing in insurance claims then officially retired in 2009. She saw many insurance changes in that time and worked with wonderful people. She is remembered fondly by them for her keen knowledge as she mentored many co-workers in a kind and positive way.

She spent as much time as possible the last 11 years with her family, she cherished her grandchildren who gave her much joy. She traveled with friends and extended family members and spent some winter months in Arizona. Irene was a long-time member of the St. James Basilica where she met some of her life-long friends in the Tabernacle and Holy Family Circle.

Irene had a very compassionate, humble, and generous heart, and cared for several people throughout the years. During her life, she was blessed with loyal friendships as a neighbor and coworker. Everyone that knew Irene, especially her children and grandchildren, thought of her as being supportive, loving, and open to trying new adventures. She was very special to many people and displayed a kindred-spirit. Her kindness and generosity touched many people’s hearts. Irene was the strength, inspiration, matriarch of the family, and was viewed as a motherly figure to others. She taught everyone to appreciate the simple joys of life. She especially enjoyed playing BINGO, trying new recipes, collecting antiques, reading Christian novels and canning pickles.

Irene’s compassion and grace is emulated in her four children: Duane “Spud” (Vicki) Streifel, Baytown, TX; Cheryl (Phil) Gollon, Fountain Hills, AZ; Judy “Grace Ann” Streifel-Reller (Steve), Grand Forks, ND; and Jeana (Rod) Mack, Jamestown, ND; six grandchildren, Jared Mack, Bismarck, ND; Katelyn Mack, Fargo, ND; Katarina Reller, Golden Valley, MN; Mychael Reller, Jackson, WY; Bryce Reller, Henderson, NV; Cody Gollon, Fountain Hills, AZ. She is also survived by two brothers Raymond (Rosa) Hager, Portland, OR; Kenneth (Judy) Hager, Devils Lake, ND and three sisters Cecila Parkos, Crosslake, MN; Bernice Bays, Spokane, WA; and Maggie Evanson of Northwood, ND and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Elmer Streifel, parents John and Magdalena Hager, brothers Mike Hager, Jacob “Jack” Hager, and sisters Cecila Hager (infant), Mary Hager (infant), Elizabeth Jorgenson, Agatha Baker. Brother-in-laws Donald Parkos, William Bays, Richie Evanson, and sister-in-law Agnes Hager.

A funeral will be held at St. James Basilica, Jamestown, North Dakota on June 13, 2020, at 10:00 AM with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Attendees should be expected to follow social distance guidelines and wear masks while inside the church. Following the service there will be a gathering of friends and family at McElroy Park with a lunch served according to COVID guidelines. She will be interred at Calvary Catholic Cemetery South in Jamestown next to her beloved husband Elmer. Williams-Lisko Funeral Home http://www.williamslisko.com/ in Jamestown will conduct the services. In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene’s memory may be made to the JRMC Foundation 2422 2oth Street SW, Jamestown, ND 58401. https://dev.jrmcnd.com/give-now/