AKES, Irena Catherine "Irene" (REYNOLDS)

REYNOLDS, AKES, ALLEN, KENDALL, ALLEY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/27/2014 at 03:49:41

Obituary ~ Irena Catherine "Irene" (Reynolds) Akes
September 27, 1896 ~ October 08, 1988

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Irene Catherine Akes, daughter of Oliver Perry Harding (Hazard) Reynolds and Irena Catherine (Allen) Reynolds, was born Sept. 27, 1896, at Allerton, Iowa, and died at Westview Acres in Leon, Iowa, Oct. 8, 1998, at the age of 102.

Irene was named for her mother, Irena, but always went by Irene. She graduated from Leon High School.

She married [1917] John Lester Akes soon before he went into the military to serve in World War I. The couple lived in Creston, Iowa, were John worked for the railroad and Irene boarded school teachers. During World War II they moved to Rock Island, IL, where they both worked in the arsenal. They retired to southern Missouri. On March 31, 1973, while they lived in Billings, John died. Later Irene moved back to Leon.

Irene and John did not have any children of their own, but dearly loved and enjoyed their nieces and nephews. She was good to all of them and gave them the things their parents could not. She also was generous to various charities, especially those that involved children.

Irene enjoyed working in her large garden and in her many flower beds. She also fed many cats in the neighborhood.

She was an active member of St. Brendan's Catholic Church in Leon. She hosted many daily prayer services and attended church regularly as long as her health allowed.

She was honored for her 100th birthday at the Iowa Governor's Mansion. She also enjoyed an open house birthday party at the Leon Community Center. She remained the independent woman as she was up to the end, even hip surgeries in 1993 and 1995 only slowed her down for a short time. Her spunk and upbeat personality will be missed by all those who knew her.

Preceding her in death were her parents; seven brothers: Merit L., Guy C., Carl M., Oliver P., Roscoe C., Harrison H., and Thaddeus M. Reynolds; and three sisters: Flora W. Kendall, infant Eliza J. Reynolds, and Mary A. Alley.

Survivors include her nieces and nephews; other relatives; her church family and many friends.

[Interment was made in Leon Cemetery.]

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2014