Obit: Gray, Irene M (1925 - 2007)

Contact: Shari Hahn
Email: steppinwest@elknet.net

Surnames: Gray, Swalve, Rippentrop, Kommer, Tesky, Klabunde, Meyer, Schwabe, Buckel, Firnstahl, Sleper

----Sources: Marshfield News Hearld, (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) May 9, 2007

Irene M. Gray (June 18, 1925 - May 7, 2007)

Irene Marguerite Gray, 81, passed away peacefully Monday, May 7, 2007 at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2007, at the Chili United Methodist Church with Pastor Wendell Williams, of Loyal United Methodist Church, officiating. Paulette Reckner will serve as organist and Cindy Martinson and Kim Enright, Irene's nieces, as vocalists. Burial will follow in Yolo Cemetery in Chili. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Rembs/Kundinger Funeral Home, Marshfield, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Friday at the church in Chili.

Irene was born June 18, 1925, in Titonka, Iowa, to George J. and Anna (Swalve) Rippentrop. She graduated from Titonka High School in 1943. She was united in marriage to Alvin Gray on March 23, 1944, at the Ramsey Reformed Church, Titonka, Iowa. After their marriage, they farmed with Alvin's brother, Lester, on the Gray family farm near Titonka. In 1959, they relocated to Chili where they continued dairy farming until their retirement in the early 1990s.

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. Irene enjoyed quilting, baking, volunteering and spending time with her friends and family.

Irene is survived by her husband, Alvin; and her children, Virginia (Norman) Kommer Jr. of Marshfield, Victor (Vicki) Gray of Greenwood, Douglas (Jeanne) Gray of Marshfield, Randy (Janell) Gray of Watertown, Roberta (Dale) Tesky of Wausau and Dean (Dan) Gray of New York, N.Y. She also is survived by 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. She is further survived by a sister, Iola Gray of Kanawha, Iowa; and 26 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, John, Raymond, Jim, Edgar, Irvin and Andrew Rippentrop; and a sister, Jennie Sleper.

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

Condolences may be sent online to: www.rembsfh.com.