Irene enjoyed volunteering at the Hearthstone in York, babysitting in her past, playing bridge, cooking and square dancing. She loved camping with her family every weekend in her Avion trailer, and spending two weeks every year camping in South Dakota. Every holiday she made frozen yum-yum, and enjoyed sitting around family and friends sharing life stories.
She is survived by her sons Jim (Georgina) Kirby of Sterling, CO, John (Jane) Kirby of Johnson Lake, NE, Jeff Kirby of Springfield, MO, and Joel (Ann) Kirby of Lincoln; grandchildren include: Jeremy (Holly) Kirby of Yutan, Casey (Matthew) Zefel of Omaha, Brandé Kirby of Sterling, Nick and Angie Kirby of Omaha, and Hunter Kirby of Lincoln, Kasandra Myers of Hickman, Shavon Williams of Lincoln, and Dylan Chapman of Springfield, MO. She is also survived by her 4 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Camila Kudlacek, Helen Turek, and Vivian Binkley, and brothers-in-law. She is also preceded by her daughter-in-law Jerri Kirby.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, January 25, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, York with Monsignor James Reinert officiating. Interment will follow at the Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Gresham. A rosary will be said at 6:00 PM, Thursday, January 24 at the mortuary. In lieu of flowers or plants memorials may be directed to the Hearthstone Dementia Ward. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday, with the family greeting friends after the rosary service.