Irma (Krebsbach) Callahan was born on October 11, 1899 in Stacyville, Iowa.  When she was ten her family moved to Napoleon, North Dakota.  Callahan graduated from Dakota Business College and then worked for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Fargo from 1921 to 1943.  During her last eight years there, Callahan was the Assistant Chief of Income Tax.  After leaving the IRS she became more active in politics.  She ran for State Auditor in 1958 and for the State Legislature in 1964 on the Democratic ticket, only to be defeated in both attempts.  When she ran for State Auditor in 1958, Callahan was Vice-chairman of the North Dakota Democratic State Central Committee, a position she held for four years.  She also served as a delegate to the 1952 and 1956 Democratic National Convention and was an observer at the 1960 Democratic National Convention.  Callahan was also active in areas apart from politics.  She was the Secretary of the County Chapter of the March of Dimes, City Chairman of Mother's March on Polio and later was appointed by the National Foundation to serve as the State Advisor.  Over the years Callahan made many friends as evidenced by the numerous Christmas cards and letters she received from various governors, United States senators, and Cabinet members.  She had a long and distinguished record in state politics.  In 1924 she married James Callahan, an engineer for the Northern Pacific Railroad.  He died in 1966 and she died February 28, 1995.  They had no children. 
 

Irma Callahan Papers  |  Politics and Government  Women