Irene Myrtle Jackson entered her heavenly home Saturday, August 13, 2023. She was surrounded by her son and daughter in law Gary and Karen Jackson and her granddaughter Shannon Beaman. She was born Irene Myrtle Culp on April 14, 1926, in her family home delivered by her grandmother to parents Bert and Margaret Culp.
Mom grew up during the Depression in the Yakima Valley attending various schools. While attending Moxee High School, she dropped out in her junior year to help support her family.
While working at Del Monte cannery, she met a handsome blue-eyed soldier stationed at the Yakima Training Center who captured her heart. After a brief courtship, the two were married at the home of her grandparents. Shortly after their marriage, Grover was stationed in California leaving Irene at their Terrace Heights “shack”.
Their son Gary was born in September 1946. While raising their son, Irene was involved with their family Orchard and working at Yakima City Creamery. She was a member of Bel Canto and Terrace Heights Lutheran Church singing in the choir. They later purchased a larger orchard in Zillah where they were members of the Orchardvale Grange. Grover had always dreamed of moving back to Montana. They purchased a home and cherry orchard on Flathead Lake. The adventures of their married life were cut short with Grover’s passing in 1984. Irene remained in Montana for several years creating many lasting friendships.
Wherever Irene called home, her yard was always full of beautiful flowers, passing her green thumb on to her son. She moved back to Yakima to be closer to her family, but always missing her Montana home.
Irene is survived by Gary and Karen Jackson, grandchildren Shannon Lee (Kael) Smith, Jeremy (Jenise) Jackson, Shelly Jackson and Shannon Renee (Rick) Beaman. She is also survived by great grandchildren Zachary, Alexis, Kylie, Brandon, Devin, Mackenzie and Madison and seven great-great children. Irene is also survived by her sister in law Renie Culp. She is pre-deceased by her husband Grover, her parents and her brother Ernie Culp and sister Betty Philiber.
Over the past several years, we have been blessed with the loving care Mom has received from her “family” at Landmark Care Center.
A Visitation will be held this Friday, August 18, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W Yakima Ave. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Terrace Heights Memorial Park, 3001 Terrace Heights Dr. To share a memory of Irene with her family, visit www.keithandkeith.com
