Inez McIlwain

1938 - 2025

Inez Rae McIlwain, age 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Pioneer Village Living facility in Fargo, ND.
She was born on February 20, 1938, to Clarence and Agnes (Stack) Brunkhorst in Hankinson, ND. She was the eldest of four daughters that grew up on a rural Richland County farm where she attended a one-room schoolhouse that was a mile away and, in fact, was located uphill from their farm.
She attended and graduated from Hankinson High School where she met the love of her life, Patric McIlwain. They were married on September 5, 1959, and they resided in Fargo while Patric finished graduate school at NDSU. Following graduation, he served in the US Army Medical Corps where they lived in several states and had an overseas posting in Tokyo, Japan. During this time, they had two sons, Christopher (1960) and Timothy (1963). After Patric's military service, the family settled back in Fargo where Patric was a researcher and instructor at NDSU. Tragically, he died at the age of 33.
As Inez always did, she made the best of a very difficult situation, dedicating herself to raising her two sons. She worked for many years at NSP in Fargo until her retirement in 2000.
Inez thoroughly enjoyed traveling and participating in activities with her friends. But most of all she cherished the time with her family, and she was very proud of her grandsons, Jack and Sam. She lived a wonderful life based on truly enjoying the simple things that life provides and by creating beauty through her gardens, her beautifully decorated gift packages and by creating a warm and welcoming home.
Inez is survived by her sons Chris and Tim (Kim); grandsons Jack and Sam; sister Cheryl; and many wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Patric; parents Clarence and Agnes; and her sisters Fay and Bonnie.
Inez will be greatly missed and remembered fondly by many. As a good friend of hers said "She always made me laugh." Isn't that a wonderful way to be remembered?
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 613 16th St. S., Fargo, ND, with visitation one hour prior. She will be buried next to Patric at Hillside Cemetery in Hankinson, ND.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND. Online guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.