Irene Joan Baillie
Irene Joan Baillie was
born on September 17,
1925 and died peacefully
on Sunday, August 2,
2020 at the Heart of Amer-
ica Care Center in Rugby,
North Dakota surrounded
by her loving family.
Irene was born to Nick
and Johanna (Bickler)
Volk, on the family farm
south of Rugby, attended
a one-room schoolhouse
through 8th grade, and
graduated from Rugby
High School. In the years
immediately following the
Second World War, she
and Duane Baillie, her
childhood sweetheart,
were separated while
Duane was stationed in
Japan. During these
years, she pursued her
education in nursing at
the College of St. Scho-
lastica in Duluth, Min-
nesota. Her wonderful
personality made her a
great ambassador for the
program.
On July 24, 1950, Irene
and Duane were married
in Rugby. But eight
months after their wed-
ding, the Army sent
Duane off again, this time
to Korea. When he re-
turned, their first home
together was a big room in
somebody’s house while
they waited for veteran’s
housing in Fargo. They
lived there until Duane re-
ceived his degree in phar-
macy from NDSU in 1954,
when they moved back to
Rugby. They recently
celebrated their 70th wed-
ding anniversary.
Irene worked at Baillie’s
Drug Store, helping in the
office and on buying trips
with Duane. She sang in
the Little Flower Church
choir, enjoyed evenings
with her bridge club,
Christian Mothers, Hos-
pital Auxiliary, and
spending time at the lake
with Duane, her children,
and her grandchildren.
Irene is survived by her
husband, Duane of Rugby;
son, Frederick (Angela)
Baillie of Rugby;
daughter, Barbara (Robert)
Kennedy of St. Paul, MN;
sister, Emarine Cashin;
numerous grandchildren,
great grandchildren;
several nieces, nephews;
other relatives and
friends. She was preced-
ed in death by her
parents; sisters, Carolyn
Voeller and Dolores Bian-
co and one grand-
daughter.
In lieu of flowers,
memorials are preferred
to Alzheimer’s Associa-
tion or Little Flower
Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Buri-
al was held on Friday,
August 7, 2020 at 11:00
a.m. at Little Flower
Catholic Church in Rugby
with burial in the church
cemetery. Father Frank-
lin Miller, Celebrant.
Organist: Glenda Mack
Cantor/Vocal Leader:
Maria Mack
Casket Bearers:Mark
Kennedy, John Kennedy,
Zachary Baillie, Robert Bi-
anco, Bill Bianco & Steve
Voeller
Arrangements with the
Anderson Funeral Home
of Rugby. Online registry: