Irene Louisa Haverland passed away on November 29, 2010 at the Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City, at the age of 93.
Irene Louisa Haverland was born February 19, 1917 at the family farm in St Clair Co. near Deepwater, Mo. Irene was the only daughter and oldest of 4 children born to John Henry and Ottilla Neuenschwander Haverland.
Irene attended the Germany Valley School thru the 8th grade. In later years she studied and received her GED diploma. She first started working in the homes of new mothers or mothers that had surgery or who needed help during harvest.
Irene joined the Valley Center United Church of Christ as a young girl and stayed very active in the church and community thru the years. She was the oldest and longest living member of the Valley Center Church at the time of her death. Irene was a Sunday school teacher for the children of the church for many years. She pieced and hand quilted several quilts thru the years. She made her 1st quilt at the age of 16. Irene enjoyed being member of the Valley Center Ladies Aide. They hand quilted weekly for the members. She made dozens and dozens of hot rolls thru the years for dinners, for family and for friends. She was involved with the local 4-H clubs as a leader and a charter member of the first 4-H club in St. Clair County.
During the WWII she worked on the farm and milked, since there was a shortage of farm help. For a short time she worked at the Pratt & Whitney Airplane factory making airplane motors. After the war she worked for Reynolds Textiles.
Factory operating a sewing machine for 13 yrs. She then worked for Unitog until she retired in 1981. Irene loved to garden and then can the produce she grew.
Irene loved to travel, every year during her summer vacation from the factory, she would take several co-workers with her on a trip. The co-workers did not care where they went, they just wanted to go somewhere. She just loved traveling and meeting new people.
Irene belonged to a friendship club of ladies who were all born in the year 1917. They were called the “Jolly 17’ers”. She attended annual reunions all over the United States. It is believed that she had visited all the states except maybe Alaska.
Irene Haverland was preceded in death by her parents John Henry Haverland and Ottilla Neuenschwander Haverland, 2 brothers, Irvin Haverland and Raymond Haverland, and a sister-in-law, Olga Lindenman Haverland. She is survived by one brother, Melvin Haverland of Lowry City, 2 sister-in-laws, Maxine Haverland and Barbara Haverland both of Lowry City. Nephews and nieces, Alan Haverland of Deepwater, Julie Haverland of Deepwater, Laurie Stinnett of Lowry City, Gary Haverland of Lowry City and LaDonna Warren of Moberly. Also numerous great-nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed.
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