Irene Donnelly

Irene Donnelly was born on March 6, 1921 on the family homestead to William and Hattie (Konjer) Rupke in Boyton Township, Long Island, Kansas. Irene died on Sunday, December 6, 2015 in Gresham, Oregon.

Irene was the 7th child born into a family of eleven children. She attended a one room schoolhouse in a Dutch community. Irene married LeRoy Lawrence Donnelly on December 3, 1939. They moved to Oregon in 1942. Irene attended the Gresham Free Methodist Church which is now known as Sanctuary Church for 60 plus years.

Irene was preceded in death by 7 of her siblings; Clarence, Henry, Richard, Melvin, Hank (Henry) and Ivan Rupke, and Josephine DeWild.

Irene is survived 3 siblings, Hendrene Bailey, Wilbur Rupke and Juanita Tracey. She is also survived by her 5 children: Carolyn (Bob) Moffet, Victoria (Jack deceased) Gilstrap, Jerilynn (Don) Anderson, Jason (Becky) Donnelly and Pat (Shirley) Donnelly, and her 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews throughout the northwest and Midwest.

Funeral service will be on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sanctuary Church, 3101 SE Orient Drive in Gresham. Burial will be at Douglass Cemetery in Troutdale, Oregon.

Family Memories:

Mom’s childhood was spent on the family Homestead. She attended school with her brothers, sisters and cousins. She spoke only Dutch when she started to school.

She often spoke about her growing up years with humor. Riding horses her father raised and sold. Getting hurt but none of them would tell their parents what happened. They always stuck together, never telling on one another. Not even to this day.

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Her Dutch heritage was always very important in her life and she shared many stories about it. She liked Dutch items. Wooden shoes, windmills and many many trips to the Tulip fields in Woodburn.Mom enjoyed being outside working in the garden and yard. Harvest time was always a busy time canning and providing items for the following year. She also raised many beautiful flowers outside and inside.

Mom was a beautiful seamstress making us cloths that were unique and one of a kind. Endless compliments were given when she wore her creations for herself as well as us kids. In her later years she created beautiful felt Christmas stockings, Christmas tree skirts and did beautiful embroidery towels, pillow cases, etc. All of us have so many items in our homes which we cherish and enjoy today.

Mom loved playing games. It was very common to have generations sitting around the table playing cards, dominoes and dice games.

In addition to this mom has a collection of cups and saucers dating back to 1959 from various places around the world that were given to her by family and friends.

Mom was also a big fan of wrestling dating back to the 50’s. We would either go to the Portland arena or watch on television. Mom also liked the Portland Trailblazer games which she went to as well.