Obituary/Irene G. Trangsrud, 101

Ilene Geraldine Reed was born Nov. 10th, 1924 to Willis and Ida (Skogstad) Reed in the Pincreek area (what is now Roseau River Wildlife Mgmt). She attended rural Groveside School through 8th before attending Badger High School. She would stay with host families during the week, returning home on weekends.

After graduating in 1941, Ilene would work for Dr. Harris in Roseau as a dental assistant, as well as doing bookkeeping for Roseau County Co-op in Badger during the WWII years.

Ilene enjoyed music and was an accomplished accordion player. She would perform with others at numerous area functions.

On Dec. 4th, 1949 at Our Redeemers Church in Badger, Ilene married Kermit Trangsrud (who had lived only a couple miles away in Duxby area). They moved from Badger to Greenbush in 1954 with 3 young sons in tow where Kermit began his career with Greenbush State Bank.

Ilene remained busy raising their family while staying active with Bethel Lutheran Church, a Den Mother for local scout troop, and later trained as a speech therapist and taught at local area schools.

Ilene enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren, often serving as daycare provider, nurse, part-time referee, and full-time Grandma.

Ilene was a great cook and enjoyed baking her infamous chocolate chip cookies, which seldom finished cooling on the pan when the grandkids were around.

Kermit passed away Nov. 1994. Ilene continued to reside in their home, which they had built in Greenbush until 2017. At age 93 she moved to Greenbush Manor assisted living. She resided there until moving over to the long-term care side of Greenbush Manor July of 2024. She remained there until her passing May 6th, 2026.

Ilene was preceded by her parents Willis and Ida Reed, husband Kermit, sisters Lorraine Hedlund, Viola Reed, Bertrice Harla, and grandchildren Ryan Trangsrud and Carly Trangsrud.

Surviving Ilene are her 3 sons, Warren (Anne) Scottsdale, AZ; Leslie (Maria Peters) Prior Lake, MN; Gary (Monica) Greenbush, MN; grandchildren Heather Trangsrud, Kyle Trangsrud, Justin Trangsrud, Nicole Trangsrud; and 5 great-grandchildren, with many nieces and nephews.

Special thank you to Greenbush Manor Assisted Living & Nursing Home staff and doctors for the caring they have with the residents.

Helgeson Funeral Home