Mary Jane Irons

A gathering time for the family and friends of Mary J. Irons will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at the Cunnick-Collins Mortuary in Davenport. A private funeral will be held at a later time. Burial will be in the Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing, IA. Mrs. Irons passed away peacefully on Friday, June 17, 2011 at Genesis Medical Center West Campus in Davenport. Mary Jane Irons was born on August 19, 1928 in Lansing, IA, the daughter of Walter J “Funny” and Sophia G. (Krieger) Bailey. Mary Jane spent her early years helping her father as he made a living on the Mississippi as a trapper, commercial fisherman, and hunting guide. She was proud to be known as a “river rat.” Mary Jane attended Immaculate Conception High School in Lansing and was a star forward on the girl’s 6-on-6 basketball team in the 1940’s. In December of 1945, while working at her uncle’s store, (Krieger’s Variety) she waited on a young vet who had just returned from the Pacific Theater (Saipan). Wayne Irons, looking sharp in his dress uniform was there to buy Christmas presents for his siblings. One thing led to another, and they were married on February 4, 1947. In 1950, Wayne and Mary Jane moved to Davenport to start a new life. They raised 6 boys while Wayne worked at a dairy and Farmall, and Mary Jane supplemented the family income by working as a waitress, first at Maid-Rite, then at Harlan’s, and finally at the former El Rancho Villa where she spent the majority of her working years. Always willing to serve others, she volunteered at the Good Samaritan Home for many years, and, as a member of a military family (her grandfather, father, husband, and 3 sons) she was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary. Her hobbies included cooking, reading, fishing, gardening, and most especially spending time with her family and friends. She always enjoyed spending time on the river every chance she got. Mary Jane will be greatly missed by her husband: Wayne of Davenport; 6 Sons: Stephen (Betty) of Boone IA, James (Peggy) of Springfield, OH, Thomas (Joy) of Davenport, Richard (Cindy) of Davenport, David (Cheri) of Eldridge, and Daniel (Lori) of Wapello; 13 Grandchildren and 6 Great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by: her parents, 2 sisters, Mildred and Evelyn, and a brother, Herbert. Memorials may be made to the Walcott American Legion or to the Good Samaritan Care Center.