Irene Bernice (Carey) Gresens, 90, of Miles City, died Friday, July 19, 2013, in her home.
Irene was born Aug. 19, 1922, at the home of her aunt in Miles City. She was the first of six children to Ira and Bessie (Trainer) Carey.
She was raised on the family homestead at Volborg and attended first through third grade in Miles City. When enough school-aged kids lived in her area, the one-room Carey-Malone School was built. She attended the country school from fourth to eighth grade, and then went back to Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School.
Irene and Neal Gresens were married in Forsyth on Feb. 9, 1942, and the following month, Neal was drafted into the Army. After he attended basic training at Fort Riley, Kan., Irene joined him and they lived in Junction City, Kan., for two years.
When World War II ended, Irene and Neal moved to Neal’s parent’s ranch north of Volborg. After 20 years, they moved their family from Ash Creek to the Jordan Place on Basin Creek. They raised mostly cattle and some sheep.
Neal suffered health issues that caused him to move into the VA nursing home in 1984. Irene stayed at the ranch for a few more years, then moved to Miles City, where she managed the Gingham Lady Motel for a year, lived with a sister for a year and then moved to the house where she resided until her death.
Irene loved getting together and visiting for hours with her sisters, and in her later years, she vacationed with them in Hawaii, the Oregon coast and on a cruise.
Irene won hundreds of ribbons from the county fair over the years for her cooking, baking and flower entries. The number of flowerbeds in Irene’s yard seemed to grow every year. Raising flowers, especially her roses, brought her great joy. She catered for a few years and liked cooking and planning big meals because small meals, she said, were boring.
Before her eyesight began to fail, Irene enjoyed reading and filling notebooks with her own writing. She had a gift for gab and loved snuggling with the newest members of her family, her great-grandkids.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Neal, who passed away Sept. 4, 2004, after 62 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother Del Carey, her brothers-in-law Bob Barthelmess and Casey Jones, and her sister-in-law Arlyle Palmer.
Irene is survived by her sisters, Betty Barthelmess of Miles City, Helen Jones of Miles City, and Peggy (Herb) Barrett of Entiat, Wash.; her brother Randall (Ginger) of Bothell, Wash.; her sister-in-law, Bernice Carey of Miles City; her five children, Ira (JoAnn) of Miles City, Norman of Miles City, Jerry (Lisa) of Helena, Ralph of Las Vegas, and Wanda Gresens of Kalispell; her nine grandchildren, Neal Gresens of Oceanside, Calif., Nataline Gresens of Vista, Calif., Tanys Abbot of Othello, Wash., Shanna Abbot of Miles City, Cole Gresens of Watford City, N.D., Kyla Gresens of Manhattan, Kan., Shawna (Mike) Russell of Aberdeen, S.D., Katie (Ryan) Paxson of Miles City, Heather (Kord) Merical of Miles City, Trenton Harbaugh (Donna) of Baker, and Canda (Brad) Fuqua of Corvallis, Ore.; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 24, 2013
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 24, 2013
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday July 25, 2013
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 24, 2013
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 24, 2013
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday July 25, 2013
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
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Ruben and June Opp says
To all of Irenes family she was always such a lovely lady and so easy to please. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of sorrow. May God bless and comfort you all at this time.
June and Ruben Opp
Bidwell Family says
So sorry to hear of your loss. She was a grand lady who will be missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Dan, Renea, Brad and Stephanie
holly Greer Franklin says
Ira Neal n nataline our thoughts n prayers r with u during ur time of this great loss. Mamas r the ones we always hold close n dear. May rich blessings head ur way. Love Troy Holly n our ten beautiful children.
Brad Fuqua says
The first week I knew Grandma Irene, she gave me a bottle of whiskey. Now that’s a great Christmas gift. When I think of her, I’ll think about the love she had for family history, three-hour phone conversations with my wife and that grand 90th birthday party with so many people in attendance. …. Brad Fuqua (Canda’s husband)
Tim & Pam Cox says
We are sorry for your loss. Your mom had a wonderful sense of humor to be able to have raised all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kelli Rooney Klein says
Thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Irene. She was a fine lady whom I had the priviledge of knowing.
Stephanie Hart says
Gramma Gressens had such a way in the kitchen that she somehow even worked magic on boxed mac-n-cheese. Was it the pepper? I remember helping in the garden and being paid in “gold.” Blessings, Heather, and all the family.
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
We will truly miss Irene! We so enjoyed taking her orders and delivering her groceries. She was quite the lady! We enjoyed the change in her voice when you would tell her how beautiful the flowers were in her yard. She so loved those double petunias in rainbow colors. What a wonderful legacy she leaves in all of you– her much loved family! You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Peggy Redman & Earl Mortensen says
Ira, JoAnn, Neal, and Nataline,
Earl joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to you in the loss of your beloved Mother and Grandmother. We pray that the many beautiful memories you have of her will give you peace. May you be comforted by the love and support from family and friends during this difficult time.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Irene Bernice Gresens – I am sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in many beautiful memories of Mrs. Gresens at this difficult time. The Bible gives us hope that soon the Creator will end all pain, suffering, and death. (Revelation 21:4) The promise of Paradise, the perfect conditions God originally intended for mankind in the Garden of Eden will include God’s “will being done as in Heaven also up on Earth” (Matt 6:9, 10). Please take the opportunity to continue to learn about the many comforting promises in the Bible. (John 17:3).
Rick & Dee Abbott says
Ira and family:
You have our sincerest condolences. We pray for God’s tender comfort to envelope you.
Shane & Holly Harbaugh says
Wanda,
So sorry to you , Irene was such a lady, she was great to visit with. Bee are thinking of you, Heather, Trent and Canda and their families. God Bless each of you.
Janet Zook Hauptman says
Ira, Norman, Ralph, and Wanda;
Your Mom was such a special lady. I fondly remember going to your house and Irene sincerely enjoying our company. She never minded if we were under foot. My siblings and I greatly enjoyed the 4-H meetings, card parties and brandings we attended at your folks’ place. Irene’s cooking was delicious, but mostly I think of her as a joyful person with a hearty laugh. You have my sincere condolences.
Marie Farnum Kluver says
Gresens Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your Mom was a wonderful person.
Janet Zook Hauptman says
Jerry,
I am sorry I left you off of my condolences. Please know you are on my mind today.
jessica sloan says
Wanda, Sorry to hear you lost your mom. Sending sympathy and hugs. I was just in Kalispell, wish I was better about communicating, I would have known.
Cathy Byron says
Ira, JoAnn, Neil and Nini –
I was saddened to learn of your loss. It is never easy to say goodbye to a parent or grandparent. The memories are the treasures that grow more dear. My thoughts and prayers are will all of you.
Betty Steiner says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I knew the family well. I enjoyed working with her.
Betty Steiner