Irina Lafrenz (1942-2020)

LAFRENZ, DARRAH, LAWS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 6/4/2020 at 08:00:28

Irina Lafrenz, age 77, of Boone, died Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.

Due to state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will not be having a public memorial at this time. A Celebration of Irina’s Life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be expressed online at www.amesmonument.com.

Nellie Irina Lafrenz was born December 19, 1942, in Davenport, one of four daughters born to Olin DeWayne and Irene (Darrah) Laws. She graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1961. Irina was united in marriage to Marvin Lafrenz on Feb. 10, 1963. The couple settled in the Long Grove and Eldridge area and was blessed with two children, Tim and Tish.

Irina worked as office manager for several doctors’ offices over the years and, most recently, was employed as the “weed woman” for DMACC, where she utilized her green thumb by keeping the campus flower beds beautiful. In earlier years, she maintained a large vegetable garden, tended her flowers, managed Bingo games in Long Grove, and made numerous blankets for hospitalized children through the Linus Project. She was honored for her many years of service with the Boy Scouts of America. Irina and Marvin took great joy in their family and even followed their daughter’s moves to help raise and nurture their grandchildren. Irina was a wonderful cook and will be remembered for her loving, giving nature. She constantly sought out ways to help others and often welcomed new friends with the invitation to “just call me Grandma.”

She is survived by her husband, Marvin; a daughter, Tish Palmer of Boone; a daughter-in-law, Chris Lafrenz of Cedar Rapids; her father, Olin Laws of Bloomfield; eight grandchildren, Cory (Breanna Pollmeier) McDaniel of Davenport, Megan Martin of Lincoln, Neb., Abbie (Dalton) Higgins of Stratford, Kinzee Epperly of Des Moines, Emma (Harrison Slagle) Martin of Ames, Cami Martin of Boone, Jenny Lafrenz of Cedar Rapids, and Mark Lafrenz of Cedar Rapids; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Carol (Donnie) Sines of Bloomfield, Terri (Louie) Miller of Bloomfield, and Chris (Jim) Fuller of Blue Grass; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her mother; and by her son, Tim Lafrenz.

Ames Monument & Cremation Center has been entrusted with the care of Irina and her family.