Irene Carol Powers

Irene “Renee” Powers, mother, grandmother and friend to many passed away October 2, 2014 at her home in Fargo, ND.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at Olivet Lutheran Church Fargo, ND with Pastor Kris Gorden as celebrant.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Tuesday, October 8, 2014 with a prayer service beginning at 7:00pm at Hanson Runsvold Funeral Home.

Renee was born on September 13, 1944 number 12 of 13 children in Raleigh, ND to Adolf and Rufina (Wingenbach) Kopp. She was delivered by her father in their home. She spent her childhood in Raleigh, ND. Renee grew up helping her Mom and Dad at the Kopp’s Food Center. She was a member of St. Gertrude Catholic Church, Raleigh, ND. Renee was involved in the Speech Team and loved to sing.

Renee loved the simple life. She loved her four children and her eight grandchildren. She enjoyed serving others by cooking all of her special German dishes and baking bars and cookies for her grandchildren and friends. Renee had a gentle soul and a good ear. She enjoyed conversations with her close friends and family. Renee always made it a point to be available for others. Renee enjoyed traveling; Hawaii, a cruise in the Caribbean ocean, Mexico, and Yellowstone National Park were some of her favorites. Renee was an avid reader who enjoyed her quiet time with a good book or some country music. In recent years she took to new technology and loved emails and FB. Renee was passionate about helping those around her; she welcomed everyone into her home and her heart. Her grandchildren treasured time spent with their Nana. Renee always had a meal and dessert waiting for the family whenever they got together. Renee especially enjoyed weekends at Lake Melissa in the summertime, watching her grandkids enjoy the joys of the Lake. Renee had many great friends that she always made time for. Renee was only a phone call away and made everyone feel special. She would do anything for the people she cared for.

Her family will cherish the memory of picking up the phone and having conversations with “Mom”. Renee showed the most amazing, unconditional love. There was nothing you couldn’t tell her. Those visits always ended with “I love you”!


Renee will be deeply missed by her daughters, Debra Oster, and Danyel (Jeff) Johnson both of Fargo, ND; two sons Scott (Liza) Oster, Fargo, ND and Brent (Dana) Oster of Grand Island, NE; eight beloved grandchildren, Paul Upham, Nicolas Johnson, Collin Koffler, Jaydyn Oster, Braeden Oster, Addison Oster, Connor Johnson and Tate Johnson; four sisters, Rose Hersch, Fargo, Ann Collingwood, Sacramento, CA, Ida (Steve) Kautzmen, New Salem, ND, and Joni Christopherson, Mandan, ND; and three brothers-in-law, Bruce Scharmer, Anoka , MN, David Utter, Mobridge, SD and James Gerhardt, Raleigh, ND; And special friend, Doug Legler, Fargo, ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six sisters; Billie Klein, Vickie Gerhardt, Linda Klein, Vi Scharmer, Leona Gerhardt, Alice Utter; and brothers Les and Otto Kopp.