Irene was born on Feb. 29, 1937 — a leap year baby. As the story goes, the doctor didn’t want her to only have a birthday every four years, so he changed her birth certificate to Feb. 28, 1937.

Irene grew up on a ranch off Bunko Road in Athol. She was a work horse and worked right alongside her dad Scottie and brothers George, Ben and Jerry, just like she was one of the boys. She was strong as an ox and always carried her weight, and then some. Her dad was always telling her to stop carrying the 100 lb sacks over her shoulders, but she was an ornery one and tenacious. She was always helping her mom Minnie with cooking and housework. She loved to cook. When she was 18, her parents welcomed a little sister Janice, who Irene helped raise as if she was her own. She loved kids! So much so, she was a lifetime caregiver and helped raise generations of children.

During summers between school years and when time allowed, she worked at the Box Factory across from the Fairgrounds on Government Way. Her biggest priority however, was helping her parents around the ranch. She just loved to work. She also enjoyed singing and playing music with her family. She loved gathering around the living room with family and friends, singing and dancing. Playing music was a great passion of hers. She was kind, generous and always there for others.

Irene’s Nickname was “Tippie” in high school. She was active in the Tigerettes, chorus, annual staff, class plays and was Carnival and Senior Prom Queen. Her high school ambition was to “Get out of School.” She had many friends and was well liked, especially by the man who would later become her husband. They met at the Edgemere Grange Hall in 1954. Her brother George drove her to the dancehall that night and left her there so he could hang out with his girlfriend Elaine (now sister-in-law). Marvin “Marv” Waddell asked to drive her home. It was during the drive home that Marv told Irene he knew they would marry. After graduating high school from Spirit Lake High in ’55, Marv and Irene were married Aug. 5, 1955, at St George’s Church in Post Falls. In 1957, they welcomed a son Dale and in 1962, a daughter Marlene. For the most part, Irene was a homemaker in between caring for many children. Later in years she worked at Norge Village on Fourth Street with her good friend Alice. She also worked at Pinewood Manor with her mom Minnie in the laundry. Marvin was a firefighter and later opened Modern Radiator and Sherman Conoco on Sherman Avenue. Irene worked in the gas station to be supportive of Marv’s endeavors. When they had spare time, they loved to dance.

After Marv’s passing in 1999, she sold the homestead on 10th Street. Irene lived with her daughter Marlene for many years both in California and Hayden. During that time, there were many memorable trips with the grandkids to California. She was the coolest Nana on the planet! In 2009, she moved to Brookdale care facility. On Oct. 3, Irene went to Schneidmiller Hospice House in Hayden. She passed away peacefully there on Oct. 31, at 3:15 a.m., with Hospice staff by her side. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 12, at Yates Funeral Home on Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene, with viewing one hour prior. Private viewing is also scheduled at Yates from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. The family is very grateful to everyone at Hospice House and for the extended time family had with her there. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Schneidmiller Hospice in Hayden, Idaho.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Irene’s online memorial at yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.