Irvin and Shirley Poitra, ages 81 and 78 of Dunseith, passed away on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 near Dunseith.  Their funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 10:00 am at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Dunseith.  The wake will be on Monday beginning at 4:00 pm at the church.  Burial will be at the St. Mary's catholic Cemetery north of Dunseith.

The children and  the grandchildren of Irvin and Shirley would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt kindness, encouragement, and support throughout this difficult time.

Irvin Aloysius Poitra, son of Frank and Rose Poitra and Shirley Ann Poitra, daughter of Clayton and Alice (Laverdure) Bergan were joined in Holy matrimony on February 19, 1962 at St. Mary's church in Dunseith. They were happily married for 59 years. From this union they were blessed with six children, 28 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren  whom they  loved dearly.  Irvin and Shirley began their lives together with a strong foundation of the Catholic Faith, they shared this great gift with their children. Irvin and Shirley centered this faith around the power of prayer and taught their children the importance of reciting the Rosary, which they did every day during Lent.

Irvin was a gifted musician who touched many lives with his music by singing at weddings, church services, and spontaneously taking out his guitar and fiddle and singing to his kids.

Shirley loved to read. She was a superb role model, she taught her daughters to cook and how to be mothers. She was a source of strength for her sons and raised them to be strong independent men. Irvin and Shirley were the center of their childrens' lives.

They loved spending time together doing things they both enjoyed. They spent most of their time outdoors gardening and working in the yard. Mom took great pride in her flower gardens and her yard. Dad loved spending time with his chickens and working on his chicken coops. They would spend time together playing bingo. Irvin was a master carpenter and used this skill to create the most beautiful bird houses which brought so much joy to them. Shirley was a gifted gardener. They shared these gifts with their children and grandchildren. They both cherished life and didn't take anything for granted.

Irvin was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Rose Poitra,  Siblings; Arlind, Darrell, Gary, Leo, Alfred, Clarence, Clarine, and Sylvia.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Clayton and Alice Bergan. Siblings; Kenneth and Larry.

Irvin & Shirley are survived by their children Sally (John) Faine, Eric (Sandra) Poitra, Tammy (John) Laducer, Brian (Renee) Poitra, Sherry (Earl) Poitra, Bradley (Jessica) Poitra. Sister-in-Laws Marceline (Darrel +), Ramona (Gary +), 28 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildren. Irvin's siblings; Frances Poitra and Mildred Nadeau. Shirley's siblings; Judy Leonard, David Bergan, Susan Harris, and Janet Evans and numerous nieces and nephews.