il she was
almost 21 years old, where as a young lady she loved riding horses.
Irene married Otto Fink after he was honorably discharged from the United
States Army on November 22, 1945, in Ashley, North Dakota, and they moved to
Clinton in 1956. She was employed as a processor at Nielson's before
working as a cook at Clinton High School from 1970 until retiring in 1985.
Irene was a member of Elvira Zion Lutheran Church and it's Martha circle.
She had a strong faith in God which she instilled upon her family. Irene
loved to cook and her culinary skills couldn't be beat by anyone. Her family
was her life, attending school functions for her grandchildren and great
grandchildren,and playing baseball or catch.
She loved gardening and canning. She loved tending to her flowers, cherry,
apple, and pear trees, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes, and
beans. She loved sharing her produce with her family, friends, and
neighbors. She enjoyed reading a good book, especially the Bible and
cooking magazines. In the afternoons she enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and
Jeopardy and the news. She also loved watching baseball, NASCAR, American Ninja Warriors, and horse
racing. The past few winters she loved wintering with her daughter in
Florida and was known as "Mom" to the Sunshine Gang and many others. Most importantly she
loved spending time telling stories of her childhood days to her grandchildren, and
all who asked. Her memory of family events and stories never ceased to amaze everyone.
Irene is survived by two daughters, Cynthia "Cindy" (Larry) Schultz of rural
Sabula, Iowa; Marcella "Marci" (Terry) Westenfelt of Miles, Iowa; 6
grandchildren: Denise (Paul) Judge, Ross (Robyn) Landon, Cory Dann, Kelly
Rixen, Tanya Smith and Trent Westenfelt; 12 great-grandchildren: Austin
(Sabri) and Jacob Smith, Tyler (Darian) and Treyger Judge, Megan Hoffman,
Madalyn Rixen, Samantha & Wyatt Dann, Olivia, Alexia, and Alayna Landon, and
Alex Westenfelt; 3 stepgrandchildren: Vicki (Mark) Olson, Brian Schultz, and
Carri (Kevin) Davis; 6 step great-grandchildren: Chris (Dana) Schultz,
Timothy Schultz, Lauren Thornton, Samuel (Jade) Snyder, Casey (Daniel)
Hebeler, and Matthew Davis; one great-great grandson: Daxten Smith; 5 step
great-great-grandchildren: Hayden Schultz, Autumn & Cameron Snyder, Kaylynn
Couppee, and Carson Thornton; a Godson who shared the same birthday: Ian
Billington, A Goddaughter Lucinda (Jeff) Malm; her brother: Milton (Audrey) Jenner of Omaha, Nebraska and many
nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 66 years, an infant
daughter, her son: Lyle, and a sister: Leona (Emanuel) Schmitt
Memorials can be made to Elvira Zion Lutheran Church.
Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory - Clinton is honored to serve the
Fink family; online condolences may be expressed by visiting her obituary at
www.snellzornig.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Irene L. Fink please visit our Sympathy Store.
To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.snellzornig.com/obituaries/Irene-Fink-2/