VORHES, Irene Bet (Milloy) 1916-2010
VORHES, KIVELL, MILLOY
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 12/15/2010 at 13:52:51
Irene B. Vorhes
Irene B. Vorhes, 94, of Marble Rock, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2010 at her home with her daughters by her side.
A memorial service to celebrate her life is planned for 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 26, at Marble Rock United Methodist Church with Pastor Judy Wooton presiding. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery, Marble Rock at a later date. Visitation will be 1 hour before the service at the church.
The first of seven children of William and Bernice Kivell Milloy, Irene Bet Milloy was born May 29, 1916, at home on the family farm three miles west of Rockford, Iowa. Living there she attended the De Buhr Country School for the first eight years and graduated high school at Rockford.
Irene earned a teachers certificate at the teachers college at Cedar Falls returning home to teach all eight grades at a one room school west of Rockford. One of her first grade students, Joyce Anderegg (Marzen) became her youngest son, Bills mother-in-law. She had a passion for teaching and tutored children and proofread papers for children, grandchildren and great grandchildren for her entire life. She was instrumental in forming the Union Busy Bees 4-H Club and was a leader for several years.
From the time Irene was very young she loved to work! She loved being her dad’s "right hand man.” She milked the cows and assisted with all other chores in the 1920’s without electricity or running water. She also loved riding the workhorses whether for working or for pleasure and told stories of shooting rabbits and squirrels in the grove for Sunday dinner.
Irene was united in marriage to Vern Elias Vorhes on July 20, 1937 at Fort Wayne, Indiana. They lived on, farmed and raised their four children on the family farm two miles east of Marble Rock for the next 32 years.
Irene continued her love of farming after their marriage by helping with all aspects of farming with the kids in tow. The milking and chickens were her income but her delight was to get on the tractor in the field. Her huge garden and canning was a true family affair with all involved.
In 1970 Vern and Irene retired from farming and moved to 503 Bradford Street, Marble Rock. There in her historical Victorian home she catered and hosted for special occasions. She was an excellent cook, and famous for her cinnamon rolls, potato salad and pies. She maintained her connections to the farm by running for repair parts or brining dinner to the field. At age 89 she had her first experience driving the semi and loved to ride in her son Bill’s combine into her 90’s.
When her sister Hazel suffered a debilitating stroke, she rescued her from the nursing home, caring for her for the next 16 years.
In her later years Irene took up the art of quilting. She so enjoyed designing and piecing quilts, spending endless hours with a quilting needle and hoop, creating those loving stitches for family members who are lucky enough to have beartiful quilts to remember her by.
Another passion she had was refinishing wood whether at home or at family member’s homes.
She was truly grateful for her family who called and stopped daily. She loved to help them whenever possible and they all enjoyed her company, help and advice. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Irene is survived by her four children: Bernice Gill; Jean (Dale) Westendorf; Pete (Marcia) Vorhes and Bill (Judy) Vorhes, all of Marble Rock, eleven grandchildren, twenty four great grandchildren, six great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her sister Joyce Dow of Rockford, Iowa; her brother-in-law John C. Moore of Mason City and sister-in-law Lorraine Milloy of Rockford.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Vern; grandson, Terry Heft; nephew, John Dow; sisters: Marian Graves, Louise Moore, Hazel Wilson and Jeanette Dyrcz; and a brother, Calvin Milloy.
Memorials may be directed to the family at 503 Bradford St. Marble Rock, IA 50653
Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Chapel, Marble Rock and Greene, Iowa. 641-823-4457
[Obituary and photo from Reid's Funeral Chapel website: http://www.reidsfuneralchapel.com/ ]
Floyd Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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