Vaaler, Irene N. age 90, of Spirit Lake, IA, formerly of Edina, MN, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake. She was born on December 5, 1923 in Hayes Township, Swift County, MN to Carl and Betsy (Ostby) Christenson. Irene graduated from Kerkoven High School in Kerkoven, MN in 1942. She moved to Minneapolis where she met and married the Rev. David R. Vaaler on September 8, 1950. Rev. David and Irene served at parishes in Houston, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Waukon, Iowa; Faribault, Minnesota and Red Wing, Minnesota. Prior to getting married, Irene worked for North American Life and Casualty Company for seven years. After getting married, she was a homemaker, a teachers aide for several years in Faribault and a saleperson at a gift shop in Red Wing. She enjoyed reading, crosswords, quilting and gardening. Irene also had a true passion for Minnesota sports, including the Gophers, Vikings, Timberwolves and especially the Minnesota Twins. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sister, Marion; and three brothers, Clifford, Wilton and Lester. Irene is survived by her three children, Mary (David) Halland of Spirit Lake, IA, Dr. Mark (Anita) Vaaler of Tampa, FL and Ruth (Jon) Logar of Ely, MN; two sisters, Doris Miller and Mildred (Don) Egnell; a brother, Eldon (Cleo) Christenson; five grandchildren, Erik, Brett, Christopher, Kelsey and Kara and two step-grandchildren, Kim and Kathryn. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorial service Saturday, May 10 @ the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 4801 France Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 1:00 PM with a visitation at church 1 hour prior to the service. Washburn-McReavy.com Davies Chapel 612-377-2203