Irene Peterick, 96, of Twin Valley, MN, died Thursday, October 3, 2013, in the Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley.

Irene Selene Kvamme was born May 3, 1917, in rural Gary, only daughter of Andrew and Clara (Wiggerson) Kvamme. She attended country school near her home, followed by one year at Gary Public School and graduated from Fertile High School with the class of 1934. Irene furthered her education in Crookston, MN, to become a teacher. Upon completion of her teaching certificate, she began teaching country school near her home. On June 29, 1939, Irene was united in marriage to Joseph Peterick. The couple made their home in Argyle, MN, and Irene continued teaching until they began their family. Later they moved to Crookston, MN, for a short time, followed by the Twin Valley area, where they owned/operated a coffee shop. During WWII, Irene and Joe moved to Milwaukee to work in the defense plant, but returned to Twin Valley after the war and raised their family. Over the years, Irene was not only a wife and mother, but also the first woman school bus driver for the Twin Valley School District, for which she was employed for 23 years. After Joe died in 1977, Irene continued to make her home in Twin Valley. She was the first tenant of the Southview Apartment Complex many years ago. Health issues forced Irene to move into the Twin Valley Living Center only the day before her death.

In her younger years, Irene enjoyed garden club, bowling and playing board games. As Irene aged, she continued to play games, do crossword puzzles, loved playing cards as well as outdoor games such as Posey Pitch, and activities like cross country skiing, bicycling and gardening. Also, Irene spent many hours knitting and crocheting and staying true to her motto: "If I am sitting, then I am knitting!". When she wasn't sitting, you could find Irene volunteering at the nursing home and Valley Pines, transporting Catholic residents to Sunday service and serving as a senior companion. She often enjoyed simply reading poetry and the Fargo Forum newspaper. Irene was a member of St. William Catholic Church and its Rosary Altar Society. Nothing was treasured more to Irene than the time she spent with her entire family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Irene is survived by two sons, John Peterick (Letty Hoekstra) and Phillip (Margaret) Peterick, a daughter, Mary Katherine "Kay" Peterick all of Twin Valley, MN; 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren two great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Edna Kvamme also of Twin Valley several nieces, nephews and her canine grandchild, Chico. In addition to her husband, Joe, she was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Armond Kvamme.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, October 7, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. in St. William's Catholic Church, Twin Valley. Visitation was Sunday from 4-7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. in the church. Visitation was also one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Officiating was Fr. Joe DeCrans with special music provided by Monica Winter and Matt Miller. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Paul Peterick, Tom Peterick, Mark Peterick, Jim Peterick, Joe Peterick and John Peterick. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Irene's grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Interment was in St. William Catholic Cemetery, Twin Valley.