Irene Helen Kannberg

Irene Helen Onstad Effinger Kannberg, born 7/25/18, passed away peacefully at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Merle Kannberg, Jr. and Mary Kannberg in Chandler, Arizona on 10/6/13. Irene was born on a farm in Eastern Montana. It was 1918 and the Spanish Flu took Irene’s father that year. Her mother remarried and the family moved to Canada but returned to Hingham, MT in 1929 where Irene completed school. Upon graduation, Irene attended Kinman Business College in Spokane, WA. It was there that she met her husband, Merle F. Kannberg, Sr. During WWII, Irene worked in the Henry J. Kaiser Shipyards in Portland, OR where she was a welder on the Liberty ships. Irene was a true “Rosie the Riveter.” After the war, Irene and her family returned to Montana and began farming. It was the arduous Montana winters that induced the family to winter in Chandler, AZ. Irene was an artist, songwriter, poet, born-again Christian and is survived by 4 children. As well as 3 daughters –in-law and a son-in-law, Irene has 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild and 8 stepgrandchildren. Irene’s charity, charm and charisma will be missed by all who knew her. A celebration of Irene’s life will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2013 with a visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by services at 11:00 a.m. and a reception following at Valley of the Sun Mortuary, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ 85248. www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com.