Obit: Gray, Irene M. #2 (1925 - 2007)

Contact:  Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: GRAY RIPPENTROP KOMMER TESKY KLABUNDE MEYER SCHWABE FIRNSTAHL SLEPER BUCKEL

----Sources: Loyal TRG 16 May 2007

Gray, Irene M. #2 (18 JUN 1925 - 7 MAY 2007)

Irene M. Gray, 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 7, 2007, at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 11, at the Chili United Methodist Church. The Rev. Wendell Williams, of Loyal United Methodist Church officiated. Paulette Reckner served as organist and Cindy Martinson and Kim Enright, her nieces, as vocalists. Burial followed in Yolo Cemetery, Chili. Her grandsons served as pallbearers.

Irene Marguerite Rippentrop was born on June 18, 1925, in Titonka, Iowa, to George J. and Anna (nee Swalve) Rippentrop. She graduated from Titonka High School in 1943. She married Alvin Gray on March 23, 1944, at the Ramsey Reformed Church, Titonka, After their marriage they farmed with Alvin’s brother, Lester, on the Gray family farm located near Titonka in 1959, they relocated to Chili where they continued dairy farming until their retirement in early 1990’s. She was a woman of faith who lived her faith in many ways. She was very active in her church where she served as choir director, Sunday school teacher and was an active member of the United Methodist Women. She was very involved in her community. She served as chairwoman of the Clark County Farm Bureau, a leader of the Chili 4-H and was active with the Forestside Neighbors Homemakers, Happy Hobby Club, and Chili Senior Citizens. She enjoyed quilting, baking, volunteering and spending time with friends and family.

Survivors include her husband, Alvin; her children, Virginia (Norman) Kommer, Jr., Marshfield, Victor (Vicki) Gray, Greenwood, Douglas (Jeanne) Gray, Marshfield, Randy (Janell) Gray, Watertown, Roberta (Dale) Tesky, Wausau, and Dean (Dan) Gray, New York, N.Y.; 16 grandchildren, James (Amy) Kommer, Debbie (Jeff) Klabunde, Robin (Steve) Meyer, Tammi (Joe) Schwabe, Jonalee (Chris) Buckel, Melody Gray, Matthew Gray, Amber Gray, Alex (Stacy) Gray, Michelle (Rich) Firnstahl, Adam Gray, John (Jennifer) Gray, Ryan (Val) Gray, Aric Gray, Joel (Amanda) Tesky, and Kyle Tesky; 26 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Iola Gray, Kanawha, Iowa.

Preceding her in death were her parents; and her brothers, John, Raymond, Jim, Edgar, Irvin and Andrew Rippentrop; and a sister, Jennie Sleper.

Memorials may be designated in her name to Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Clark County, a faith-based organization of volunteers that provide various services to elderly residents of Clark County.

Condolences may be sent on line to www.rembath.com.

Rembs/Kundinger Funeral Home, Marshfield, assisted the family with arrangements.