Irene Shelton

IRENE SHELTON was born August 31, 1922 in Rural Lyon County, Iowa to John and Greta (Vos) Hommes. She was baptized at Rock Rapids First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She spent her childhood years in Lyon County where she attended country school through the eighth grade. A few years later she moved to Denver, Colorado where she took a job at a luggage factory. During WWII, the factory converted itself to produce artillery wadding. While in Denver, she also took courses to become a nurse. On January 17, 1948 she was united in marriage to Olin Shelton in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After their marriage Irene continued to live in Denver, Colorado for a short time. Upon Ole’s honorable discharge from the service, the couple moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa where he worked as a farmhand. Shortly after, they moved to a farm near Lester, Iowa and began farming for themselves. Irene readily took on the role of a farmwife, taking care of household duties and making a home for Ole and their seven children. In 1953, they moved to a farm northeast of Steen, Minnesota. Ole and Irene purchased a farm south of Luverne, Minnesota in 1962 which they farmed until Ole’s retirement in 1982. The couple enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren during their retirement years. They moved into Luverne in 1987. Ole preceded Irene in death on October 20, 1993. Irene continued to reside at their home in Luverne. In late November 2010, Irene became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society - Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne, where on Thursday, February 9, 2012, she died peacefully at the age of 89 years, 4 months and 8 days.

Irene was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne where she was a member and leader of the Mary Circle. She enjoyed gardening, playing cards, crocheting, cooking, bird watching, and tuning into Wheel of Fortune. She loved taking care of others, spending time with neighboring farm families, and especially enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren.

Irene is lovingly remembered by her children, Dave Shelton and his wife Bonnie of Luverne, Doug Shelton and his wife Peggy of Sheridan, WY, Dennis Shelton and his wife Cheryl of Spencer, SD, Gretchen Davis and her husband Shawn of Luverne, Gracia Bryant-Ladd and her husband Dave of Wakonda, SD, and Georgia Redd of George, IA; 27 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; a sister, Joann Douglas of Rock Rapids; two sister-in-laws, Greta Hommes and Joyce Hommes, both of Rock Rapids; a brother-in-law, Harry Vande Stouw of Hull, IA; and other family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Ole; a son, Dwight Shelton; her parents; son-in-law, Mike Ladd; and her siblings, Francis Vandekop, John Hommes, Hynie Hommes, Roger Hommes, and Esther Vande Stouw.