Irene Hartviksen

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Irene Marion Hartviksen, age 87 years. Irene passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 at TBRHSC, surrounded by the love and presence of her family, and now rests with her loving husband George.

Irene was born to John and Jenny Knutson on October 5, 1931. She grew up in Port Arthur attending Cornwall Public and Hillcrest Technological Schools and began her career at CJ Alexander as a stenographer. She spent many years raising her family and returned to the work force at the Provincial Court Family Division, first as a court clerk, later completing her career as a Court Administrator. In 1993 Irene retired and began the most memorable chapter of her life - her years spent with her nine grandchildren. Mom loved to reminisce about special family occasions, from births and baptisms, to music and dance recitals, hockey games, trips to Decorah, summers at camp at Eldorado, weddings in St. Lucia, graduations, travelling, and welcoming her five great grandchildren. 

Irene’s greatest love in life was her husband George and her family. She met George while at Luther League held in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. They married in 1952 and together had 4 children. Irene provided her family with a warm, loving home, and was a faithful and dedicated member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church and the church community. 

Irene and George loved bringing family and friends together in their home to celebrate special occasions. Christmas Eve was her favorite time of the year. She shared good food, good company and beloved Scandinavian traditions with everyone.

Irene was the quiet, constant strength behind her husband George. They worked hand in hand in their life, always together. In their retirement they enjoyed travelling, they saw and appreciated the beauty in every destination, in places such as the East Coast of Canada, Saint Lucia and Scotland to name a few. Their favorite destination was Norway, where they connected with their Norwegian relatives. Irene was thrilled to meet her Brandvik and Jensen families.

She also enjoyed sewing, knitting, Hardanger Embroidery, card making, painting, rosemaling and flat plane carving. Sharing their love of carving, Irene and George completed many projects together. She also had a great love of reading. You could often find her listening to classical music and reading poetry. 

Irene will be sadly missed by her four children John (Janice), Janet Skinner, Michael (Karen), Nancy (Lorne) Cahill; grandchildren Lena (Kris) MacLeod, Jenna Hartviksen, Matthew Skinner, Lindsey (Markku) Pehkonen, Alissa (Tyler) Miller, Julia and Erin Hartviksen, Meghan and Sean Cahill, and great grandchildren Emma and Matthew Wixon, Aliyah Skinner, Mikko and Ari Pehkonen; sister Betty (Ken) MacAskill, brother Edward Knutson; sisters-in-law Priscilla Knutson, Marilyn Knutson and Audrey Hartviksen and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Irene was predeceased by her husband George, parents John and Jenny, family Ralph (Bunty) Knutson, Ken (Helen) Knutson, Norman Knutson, Walter(Dorothy) Knutson, Margaret (Ben) Rasmussen, Robert Knutson, Marlene Knutson, Kenny MacAskill and many other Knutson and Hartviksen family members, including parents, in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Mom was a very kind, sweet soul, admired and loved by all. She had a peaceful, calming presence and will always be in our hearts. We will miss her beyond words.

Please join us in a celebration of Irene’s life on Saturday, December 15th at 10:00 am at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 10 Farrand Street, presided by Pastor Matthew Diegel. Visitation for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service. A reception will follow at Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street. Interment at Riverside Cemetery.

If friends so desire, donations may be made in Irene’s memory to Wesway, Hospice Northwest or to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.