Irene Edwards

Irene May Edwards died on Monday, January 17, 2011 at the age of 90 at the Crest Haven Care Centre in Creston. Irene had been waging a valiant battle against breast cancer which had metastasized into bone cancer for more than two years.
Irene was born in Afton, Iowa to George and Mary Pratt on February 4, 1920. She graduated from Afton High in 1937 where she received her normal training teaching certificate. In 1938, Irene married Herbert Hub Edwards and to this union came two children. In the 40s and 50s, Irene embraced her husbands desire for travel and the family left Union County while Hub was employed by Morrison-Knudsen to travel to various towns in Nebraska, Missouri, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho and Wyoming. In 1956, the family returned to Union County and settled in Creston where Hub ran the Mobil Oil Station and trucking business on Highway 34. Irene supported him in this endeavor as the bookkeeper for the business.
After that business closed, Irene worked over the next years at Creston Hardware, Gibsons, Singer Sewing Machine and Super 8 Motel. She recently participated in the promotional campaign for Greater Regional Home Care and Hospice and is shown on their web site as well as on billboards, including one in Creston on Highway 34.
Irene enjoyed many passions, but first and foremost was her love for her family. Irene had a joyous, loving heart and she spread that joy and love to everyone she encountered throughout her life.
While her son was in Viet Nam serving in the Marines, she joined Navy Mothers and the Ladies Auxiliary VFW and did all she could to support him and other service men and women as they served our country. She volunteered for many organizations over the years. She was a member of the Birthday Pals and former member of the South Side Boosters Club.
Irene had a love for the great outdoors - whether it be camping out under the stars in the mountains or just enjoying her garden and flowers at her home here in Creston. She had a green thumb.
Irene was the family historian and enjoyed maintaining and updating her familys records. She hosted several Afton High School alumni reunions and maintained a scrap book of alumni activities.
Irene was very creative and expressed that through her crocheting, embroidery, and quilting projects. She loved making hot pads for friends and family and for charitable fund raisers.
Irene was member of the Afton United Methodist Church and the afternoon circle of the First United Methodist Church in Creston.
Left to cherish Irenes memory are her daughter: Carolyn Schuemann, Des Moines, IA; her son: Ron (wife Donna) Edwards, Creston; two grandchildren: Roxanne Edwards and James Moffitt; step-grandchildren: Raeleen Smith and Colleen Smith; great-grandchildren: Charley Marie Weeks, Cashton Weeks, Colton Weeks, and Tristan Moffitt; step-great-grandchildren: Angie Hartman, Brandy Stephens, and Haley Schlapia; five step-great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding Irene in death were her parents; her husband, Hub Edwards; her son-in-law, John Schuemann; her step-great-grandchild, Jade Perez; and her brother, William Pratt.
Memorials may be directed to the Greater Regional Hospice Home and/or Friends of Iowa Public Television.