Irene Freida Christensen was born October 22, 1922 in Lake City, Iowa to parents Luther and Margaret (Rohrbeck) Main. She died March 1, 2012 in Beresford, South Dakota at the age of 89 years, four months and nine days. Irene was baptized at Lidderdale, IA and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Latimer, IA. She graduated from High School in 1940. Irene worked as a secretary and cashier for Iowa Public Service Company for 16 years. She married Carl Herren January 1962. He died in 1980. Irene then married Melvin Christensen November 1983. He died in 2001. Irene continued to live in Beresford until her death. In 1946 Irene pursued her interest in aviation. She took flying lessons and made her first solo flight in a Piper Cub. During the 37 years she wintered in the Rio Grande Valley Irene became involved in Lapidary, the study of gems and minerals. She took courses at Pan American University taught by her friend, June Culp Zeitner, Contributing Editor to the Lapidary Journal, author and lecturer. She spent many hours cutting her own gems and designing jewelry. At the time, June was co-authoring the latest book on Mount Rushmore with Lincoln Borglum, son of Gutzon Borglum. Irene was asked to transcribe the many taped interviews with Lincoln and later to type the manuscript for the publisher. The book, "Borglum's Unfinished Dream" was published in 1976 in time for the Bi-Centennial since Mount Rushmore was the focal point. Later in June, she and her husband were invited to the Black Hills for a personally conducted tour of the Borglum home and museum. Survivors include her step-daughter, Sally Jo O'Brien of Marshalltown, IA; sisters, Wilma Riggins of Omaha, NE and Lois Rodgers of Dayton, OH; brother, Leroy (Helen) Main of Johnston, IA; five step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren. Her husbands, Carl Herren and Melvin Christensen; parents, Luther and Margaret Main; niece, Michelle Main; and brothers-in-law, Don Riggins and William Rodgers preceded Irene in death. Funeral services for Irene will be held at 2PM Monday, March 5, 2012 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford, SD with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.