Irene M. McCamy, 86, of Fargo, N.D., died on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, at Elim Care Center in Fargo.

Irene Mae Hanson was born on Dec. 1, 1927, to Harold and Olga (Hoaby) Hanson in Moorhead. She grew up in Dilworth where she graduated from high school with honors in 1946. As a high school cheerleader she would meet her future husband, Curtis, from rival West Fargo. Curtis McCamy and Irene were married on Aug. 28, 1948, in Fargo. Together they raised a family in Litchfield from 1950 to 1970 where Curtis was Senior High School principal and Irene was secretary to the elementary principal. Irene was active in the First Presbyterian Church, as was Curtis. Raising six children was quite a joy for Irene but she still found time as a seamstress and gardener of large flower and vegetable beds.

In 1970 the family moved to Albert Lea where Curtis was school principal then superintendent of schools, while Irene was secretary to the president of Queen Products. The family was actively engaged in hunting and fishing exploits, and Irene was rarely not in the thick of things. Her culinary skills were unrivaled, and the fish and game was prepared to everyone’s delight.

In 1992, Curt and Irene returned to Fargo where they were much closer to the family cottage on Big Cormorant Lake. Fishing and duck hunting became a much bigger part of their lives, now in their retirement years. Curtis was actively engaged in carving wood fish and birds when not on the lake and often Irene would help paint some of his birds. She always enjoyed cooking and sewing and continued with her large gardens. The lake cabin provided a magnet to attract the children and grandchildren whom she loved dearly, where fishing and swimming consumed their summers.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis; her parents; her son, Jeffrey; an infant brother; three brothers, Lester, Julian, Harold; and a sister, Harleth Mielke.

She is survived by four sons, Curtis B. (Mary) McCamy of San Antonio, Texas,  Alan E. (Carol) McCamy of Fargo, Charles R. (Denise) McCamy of Foley; and Robert T. (Victoria) McCamy of Fargo; one daughter, Jane (Ron) Kruger of Conger; one sister, June Standfield of Dilworth; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The family will have a private memorial service later this spring.