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Lawrence Harlo Irgens

Født 14 Oct 1929 Alexandria
Død 25 Jan 2000 Alexandria
Familie med Ruth Lillian Pedersen
Vielse 18 Feb 1977 Alexandria
EmailRuth (Pedersen) Irgens
Beskætigelse Dentist
Fødsel 14 Oct 1929 Alexandria
Obituary
Død 25 Jan 2000 Alexandria
Funeral Bulletin
@DI2169@
Begravelse 29 Jan 2000 Kinkead Cemetery, Alexandria
Funeral Bulletin

000

Lawrence Harlo Irgens was born on October 14, 1929 in Alexandria to Lawrence Henry
Irgens and Tomena (Lee) Irgens. He grew up in Fergus Falls and Madison, Minnesota. In
1947 he graduated from Madison Senior High School, where he was class valedictorian,
quarterback for his football team and captain of his basketball team. He attended Luther
College and, later, The University of Minnesota. In 1950 he received Bachelor of Science
and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University. He continued his studies at the
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctorate in Dental
Surgery in 1957, and was elected as a Graduate Fellow of the Psi Omega Dental Fraternity.
In 1971 Dr. Irgens completed a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of
Minnesota, where he focussed on the study of dental services in small communities.

During his forty-three years of practice, Larry served the dental community in many
capacities. He was a Governor Appointee to the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry for
four years, and served on the Regional Board of Dental Examiners for twelve years. He
worked as the Director of Dental Services for the Minnesota Department of Public Health,
and as the President of both the West Central District of Dentistry and the University of
Minnesota Dental Alumni Association. In 1986 he was elected to the Pierre Fauchard
Academy of Dentistry. In 1987 and 1989 respectively, he was elected Fellow of the
International College of Dentists and Fellow of the American College of Dentists. He
practised dentistry in Roros, Norway in 1971, serving as a District Dental Officer, at the
invitation of The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Social Affairs. He promoted the
introduction and use of fluoride in the drinking water in Norway as well as Minnesota and
conducted a clinic in the Alexandria area for the early detection and diagnosis of oral
cancer.

On June 17, 1960, he married Patricia Marie Litsheim in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Together
they lived in Moorhead, Glenwood, Roros (Norway), Minneapolis, and Alexandria.
Between 1961 and 1969, they had four children: Caroline, Stephen, David, and Teddy. In
1972 they moved to Alexandria, and Larry opened a new practice. In 1974, following a
brief illness, Patricia died of breast cancer.

On February 18, 1977, Larry married Ruth (Pedersen) Anfinsen, and became step-father to
Peter, Mary and Jana Anfinsen. They raised their seven children in Alexandria, and
watched with pride and joy as each found his or her place in the world.

Larry was long active in community organizations, serving as a member of Kiwanis, Rotary
International, and Toastmasters. Always active in his church, he taught the Bethel Bible
Series at Glenwood Lutheran Church, served on several stewardship committees, and
served two terms on the First Lutheran Church Council. He loved sports, history, literature, and the performing arts. His particular love was the symphony, and he played violin in the community orchestra and at First Lutheran Church.

On January 25th, Larry suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife Ruth; by his sister Lee Ann (Irgens) Torlakson; by his children and step-children, Peter and Holly Anfinsen, Caroline (Irgens) and Chris Roback, Mary (Anfinsen) and Ken LeBlanc, Stephen and Sue Irgens, David Irgens, Jana (Anfinsen) and Michael Hanson, and Ted Irgens; and by his thirteen grandchildren, Andrew, Alecia, Brandon, Sara, Jonathan, Rachel, Anna, Amy, Megan, Elena, Zachary, Ian, and Lee.

His family asks that any memoriums be made to either First Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

Funeral Service: First Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minnesota. Saturday, January 29, 2000. 2:00 PM
Officiating: Rev. Gary Gilthvedt.
Music: Diane Alveshere, Solo by Mary (Anfinsen) LeBlanc.
Pallbearers: Pete Anfinsen, David Irgens, Stephen Irgens, Ted Irgens.
Honorary Pall bearers: Carl Knudson, Daryl Ostercamp, Earl Schultz, Paul Pedersen, Dave Gadola, Ed Monahan.
Eulogies: Ralph Pedersen, Teddy Irgens, David Irgens.
Interment: Kinkead Cemetery, Alexandria, Minnesota
_MEDC Bladder cancer