Irene Glenn

Irene Glenn, 97, of Oskaloosa passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Irene Mary Glenn, daughter of Alphonse and Christine Wernimot Heinrichs, was born August 12, 1922, in Bridgewater, South Dakota. When she was eight years of age, Irene’s family moved to Carroll, Iowa, where she graduated in 1940 from St. Angela Academy. In 1943, Irene moved to Waterloo, Iowa, to work in the Hinson Manufacturing Company, where she helped produce ammunition belts for the WWII armed forces. While in Waterloo, Irene met the love-of-her-life, Wesley Glenn of Ottumwa, Iowa. Wes was stationed at the Naval Air Base in Ottumwa at the time. May 13, 1944, Irene and Wes were united in marriage in Norfolk, Virginia. Shortly after that, Wes was sent to France, and Irene returned to Waterloo to work and wait for Wes’s return. Following Wes’s discharge in 1946, Irene and Wes made their home in Oskaloosa, where Irene was a homemaker, and Wes worked for Sears. In 1951, Irene and Wes opened the Gambles store in Oskaloosa with Irene’s brother and sister-in-law. They owned and operated the store together until 1963. At that time, Wes went to work for the Gambles Corporation, and Irene focused her time on her family. Following Wes’s retirement in 1982, Irene and Wes assumed the management duties at the Oskaloosa Retirement Home, “Shady Lodge”; together, they managed the retirement community until 1993. Irene was a member of St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ, over a 60-year member of Bramith Circle of King’s Daughters, a member of Chapter X P.E.O. and she also served on the Mahaska Hospital Auxiliary for many years. Irene’s family includes her children: Renee and Bill McKee of Indianapolis, IN and Gary and Jane Glenn of Ankeny, IA; four grandchildren: Matthew and Patti McKee of Mesa, AZ; Missy and Joe McIntire Indianapolis, IN; Brian and Laura Glenn of Ottumwa and Karissa and Jeff Kime of Pleasant Hill, IA; six great-grandchildren: Isabella and Ryne Ruscheinski, Evan McKee, Leah, and Lily Glenn, and Kaylee Kime; and a sister-in-law, Jean Heinrichs of Spencer. Besides her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley, on June 25, 2001; her sister, Barbara Heinrichs; and five brothers and sisters-in-law: Alvin and Irene Heinrichs, Edward and Joy Heinrichs, Roman Heinrichs, Virgil and Louise Heinrichs, and Fritz and Billie Heinrichs. Private Graveside Funeral Services will be held for Irene on Friday at Forest Cemetery with Rev. Carol Immatteo-Code of St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to Mahaska Health Foundation to be used for the Mahaska Hospice Serenity House. Langkamp Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Irene Glenn

August 12, 1922 - April 29, 2020