Irvin Mager

Irvin Mager, 90, of Warren, MN, died on Tuesday evening, September 14, 2021, in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND, with his family by his side.

The son of John and Anna (Mozinski) Mager, Irvin was born on September 22, 1930 on a farm in Walsh County, ND. His family moved to a farm in Vega Township, MN, in 1941. Irvin enlisted in the US Air Force in 1952, completing basic training and parachute training in six months. He was stationed in Korea for 11 months, and then two years in Charleston, SC where he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. His next assignment took him to Tokyo, Japan for eight months. After his active duty time ended he served in the reserves four four years; his final rank was Tech Sergeant.

Irvin started farming as soon as he returned from duty in 1956. He was honorably discharged in June of 1960. Shortly after, he met his best friend, the love of his life, Evelyn Kostrzewski at a dance in Florian, MN. The two were married in October of 1957 in Assumption Catholic Church, Florian. They made their home on his family farm and raised five sons. Irvin loved farming, and through it taught his sons the defining traits of his life: hard work and honesty. He was always busy on the farm and in what spare time he had he did carpentry work. Irvin and Evelyn remodeled a number of homes in addition the usual work of farming, gardening, and managing the “free labor” of their boys.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Evelyn of Warren: his five sons, Dan (Laurie) of rural Fisher, MN, and their children, Grant and Stephanie; Robert (Karen) of rural Alvarado, and their children, Brian and Melissa; Wayne (Kaye) of Thompson, ND, and their children, Anne, Luke, and Sarah; Doug Mager of Warren; and Marti Mager of Warren, and his children, Becca and Lexi: two brothers, Don (Shirley) and John Mager. both living near Minneapolis: and a number of nieces and nephews.

Irvin was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Christopher; and his siblings, Stephie Lizakowski, Raymond, William, and Ernest Mager, Dorothy Hermanson, Stanley, Harry, Frank, and Fredrick Mager.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 10:30 AM, in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Warren, MN.
VISITATION: Friday, September 17, from 5:00 PM; the Rosary will be said at 6:15 PM; a Prayer Service will follow at 6:30 PM, in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Warren; and one hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: St. Rose Catholic Cemetery, Argyle, MN.