Irey, Marian Bertha 1914

IREY, KETELSEN, FRAHM, BLOUSE, LABRUYERE, BRANDENBURG, BARNES

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 1/4/2017 at 18:35:49

Marian K Irey, 102, of Clinton passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at the Alverno – Clinton.

Graveside Services will be held Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Clinton Lawn Cemetery with Rev. Paul Holmer officiating. The Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory is assisting the family.

Marian Bertha Ketelsen was born January 10, 1914, near Bryant, Iowa in Center Township, the daughter of George and Elsa Frahm Ketelsen. She attended a rural school and graduated from Lyons High School in 1931. She earned her B.A. from Cornell College in 1935. She married John H Irey on May 23, 1937, in Waukon, Iowa. She and her husband adopted two children in infancy; Carolyn in 1943 and Marilyn in 1946.

After teaching in a rural school for one year, she taught in the Scovill Schools from 1936 thru 1943. During the war, she taught night school at Clinton High and later taught part time at Our Lady of Angels Academy. She had been a Girl Scout leader, a member of League of Women Voters, and was a 50-year member of OES and a PWHP of White Shrine. She was an active member of Church Women United for many years. She was the first Executive Director of the Clinton Housing Authority from 1974 – 1983, serving during the construction and occupancy of Park Tower. She was honored as a 1983 YWCA Woman of Action.

She served as Sunday School Superintendent and later as Church Secretary and Financial Secretary during her 50 year membership in First Congregations Church. In 1997 she became an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. In 1986 she became an Associate of the Sisters of St. Francis.

She is survived by one daughter, Marilyn (Gene) Blouse of Cape Coral, FL, one granddaughter, Michelle LaBruyere of Franklin, TN, one grandson Michael LaBruyere, of Lindenhurst, IL. One great-granddaughter, Mica LaBruyere, of Franklin, TN., a niece, Carol Brandenburg (Jim) Barnes, Chesterfield, MO, nephew Richard (Mary Ann) Brandenburg, Reston, VA, 7 great nieces & nephew and many great-great nieces & nephews and several cousins.

Marian was preceded by her husband, John H Irey, a daughter, Carolyn Irey, parents, George & Elsa Ketelsen, a sister Anne Brandenburg, and 2 nephews John Brandenburg and William Brandenburg.

She was deeply committed to the Christian faith and enjoyed participating in activities in her retirement years in her beloved Sarah Harding Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society and The Alverno.