Imogene Avis (Armer) Lesmann, 74, of Westhope, died Monday, July 9, 2012, at her home following a long illness. Her funeral will be held Friday, July 13, at 10 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Westhope. Visitation will be today, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Nero Funeral Home in Westhope. Burial will be at the Westhope Cemetery.
Imogene was born July 7, 1938, in Westhope, to Lorne and Mildred (Fulwiler) Armer. She was reared there and graduated in 1956 as valedictorian of Westhope High School. During her high school years, she was employed at the Westhope Standard as linotype operator. Following the completion of her formal education, she enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged in August 1956.
On Sept. 19, 1956, Imogene Avis Armer married Albert Lesmann in Bottineau at the Bottineau County Courthouse. Following their marriage, they made their home in Westhope, where they continued to make their home until the time of Imogene's death. Together, the couple had six children.
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Imogene was an avid gardener, spending much of her time enjoying her garden and her flowers. She spent her life encouraging others and helping in any way that she could. She also made sure that no one ever left her house hungry. She insisted that everyone who visited her had to eat. She loved to bake. Her specialties were Firm-a-pan buns, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and raisin-oatmeal cookies. Imogene would send a whole tray of baked goodies home with every visitor.
She enjoyed crocheting in her spare time, making beautiful gifts for all of her children and grandchildren. She left her legacy by teaching her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to crochet.
Imogene and Albert successfully owned and operated two businesses: Al's Repair Shop and Northern Ready Mix and Excavation. She was a full-time bookkeeper for both businesses and for Tim's Automotive of Westhope.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Westhope, where she was a member of United Presbyterian Women for several years.
She is survived by: her husband, Al, of Westhope; children, Kenneth (Keryl) Lesmann, of Minot, Timothy (Diane) Lesmann, of Westhope, Catherine (Michael) Werner, of Farmington, Minn., Linda (Greg) Laber, of Westhope, Todd (Laura) Lesmann, of Bottineau, and Holly (Jason) Klokstad, of Westhope; and 13 grandchildren: Kari (Tim) Stiel, Kasey (Sylvia) Lesmann, Karter (Allison) Lesmann, Konni (Lesmann) Graham; Trisha Engstrom, Melody (Cameron) Shelkey; Desiree (Ryan) Gleason, Jessica (Brett) Heckel, Danika (Beau) Nevin, Katrina Eubank, Brittany Eubank, Brandi Burcham, Michael Eubank; and several great-grandchildren; and brothers, Charles Armer, of Westhope, and Larry Armer, of Billings.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lorne and Mildred Armer; brother, James Armer; sisters, Hazel Hagen, Mary Sisk, Carolyn Lesmann and Phyllis Hagen; grandson, Justin Laber; great-grandson, Dakota Nevin; and nephews, Gerald Hagen and Robert "Bob" Sisk.
Arrangements are with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register at (www.nerofuneralhome.net).