Irene Blankenburg

Irene Blankenburg, 90, of Sioux Center, IA died Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 5, at 5:30PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center with Rev. Randy Widbin officiating. Irene Blankenburg was blessed with 90 years in her earthly home, abundantly loving her family and friends. Irene Pearl was born April 1, 1922 in Gardiner, Maine to Emily (Lawson) and Arthur Stonier. She was the oldest child in her family of 7 children. Irene had 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Irene learned at a young age to be a devoted nurturer as she cared for her younger siblings. She left school at a young age to help at home and as a teenager, she worked as a babysitter and waitress. On February 14, of 1944, Irene married her sweetheart and love of her life, Paul Blankenburg, in Alexandria, Virginia. Irene and Paul had 3 children; 2 daughters and 1 son. They raised their beautiful children in Delaware and Florida. As a family, they enjoyed traveling, fishing, and spending cherished time together. After years of being a police officer's wife, Irene lost Paul to cancer in 1967. She then found employment in various places late in life. This included 14 years at a men's clothing store, work at a nursing home, caring for others in their homes and caring for others pets. Irene's love and tender care for everything beautiful filled her life. She was a plant, flower, and animal lover and could make anything grow and any animal happy! Irene also enjoyed reading and listening to music. Her contemporary spirit was reflected in her modern tastes, from her love for fashion to her diverse music collection, which ranged from Alicia Keyes to Andrea Bocelli. Irene was always a forward thinker with an upbeat outlook of the past, present, and future. She will be remembered for her optimistic determination and her joy-filled, loving spirit. Irene was able to live in many different states in her lifetime ranging from California to Georgia to Hawaii. She was blessed to live with various family members for the latter part of her life. Irene enjoyed being around family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. She always wanted to talk, laugh, and play with them all! Her love was so big for each and every one of them. Irene spent her last four years at Royale Meadows Care Center in Iowa where she was loved and cared for by a wonderful staff. She was still able to be close to family and many great-grandchildren in her final years. "Grams", as she was called by many, will be greatly missed by her many friends and relatives from coast to coast. Irene is survived by her daughter, Paula Reeves; by her grandchildren, Kelly, Dawn, Beth, Adrielle, Dove, Bobby and Donetta, and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and by her sisters, Jinx Vadala and Barbara Smith. Her parents, her husband, her four siblings, her children, Sheila Gruber and Richard Blankenburg, and her great-granddaughter, Santana White, preceded her in death.