She graduated from St. Joseph School in Dickinson, North Dakota on her birthday, 25 May 1940. She came to Yakima with a close relative at a young age of 16 years old where she met her future husband Albert Thomas. They were married for 65 years. They had two wonderful successful children, Kathy who went to our Lord in March of 2017, and their son Jerry. They also have four grandchildren, Stephanie, Jeff, Amy, and Jason, and two great grandchildren, Sarah and Annalise.
Irene worked at the Newberry ice cream counter for a few years after she came to Yakima and was also a seasonal worker/supervisor at Libby’s Cannery for many years. Her best job was as mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. She was also an excellent cook, specializing in her native German cuisine, such as schup nudeln, kuchen, and German potato salad. We will miss her contributions at family outings and holidays.
Irene loved to travel. She and Albert were snowbirds, spending many years after retirement traveling to Arizona in their motor home.
Irene was very much loved by her friends and family. She had a caring and kind way about her. She never had anything bad to say about anybody. She always loved to joke with people that surrounded her just to make them smile. Her caretakers always loved to be around her. Even during her last hours, she was still cracking jokes with the hospital staff and her loved ones. We will always remember her as happy, upbeat, and funny. We will love “Framma” forever.
She is preceded in death by her husband Albert Thomas and her brothers and sisters, Albert, Matt, Wayne, Larry and Ray Kuntz, Rosemary Ove, Ramona Price and Elenor Grina.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, October 10, 2018 with a Vigil schedule at 5:00 pm at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. A service will be held Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 10:30 am at Holy Family Church. To share a memory of Irene please visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.
