Obituary

Irene H. Walton came into this world on June 28, 1933 in Drumheller, Alberta.  She was born to Paul Wolfe (Germany) and Emma Schritter (Romania).  Her family moved to Vancouver, BC, when she was very young.  During WWII, Irene’s family left Vancouver and moved to Castor, Alberta to avoid the Canadian internment camps.  As a young girl, Irene had many happy memories of growing up in Castor.  After the war, her family moved back to Vancouver where she lived until she met Mal Walton in the early 1950’s.  Mal and Irene married in Vancouver on October 1, 1954.  Their first son, Monte, was born in 1956 in Oklahoma City.  In 1959, they moved back to the Northwest and their second son, Ronnie, was born in Vancouver, BC.  In 1961, they bought a home at 5413 Waschke Rd. where she proclaimed that she was never going to move again.  Irene was a wonderful homemaker.  She was proficient at gardening, canning and was an exceptional cook.  She had a wide community of friends from Redeemer Lutheran Church, Birthday Club, Quilting Club and Altar Society.  She was a devoted mother who supported her sons’ interests in Boy Scouts, sports, camping and school activities.  Irene also loved to collect books (especially cookbooks), hike on Mt. Baker, knit and do needlework.  Later, Irene shared her talents and knowledge of cooking, canning and gardening with Aileen, Shawna and her granddaughters.  She is remembered for her amazingly delicious Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, her generosity, kindness, gentleness and her unconditional love of her family.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Mal.  She is survived by sons Monte (Aileen) and Ron (Shawna); grandsons Scott (Sareth) and Matt (Kelsey); granddaughters Amber Siegel (Brandon), Holly Pike (Justin) and Brianna; great-grandchildren Jaxson, Logan, Brody, Hadley, Booth and Lawson; brother Mike Wolfe (Sarah) of Port Alberni, BC; niece Laura and nephew Jeremy.

A memorial reception will be held on Tues. Sept. 14 at 3:30 P.M. at Redeemer Lutheran Church – 858 W. Smith Rd. Bellingham, WA 98226.

Donations may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation or Redeemer Lutheran Church.