Irene Evelyn Lydia Wendt Reames passed away peacefully on June 21, 2018 in Oklahoma City, OK. Irene was born on March 8, 1927 in Kingfisher, OK to Albert A. H. Wendt and Anna Storm Wendt.
Irene was a graduate of Dover High School and Enid Business College. On April 4, 1948, she married Marvin C. Reames at the Kingfisher Evangelical and Reformed Church. Marvin and Irene lived for a short time in Clovis, New Mexico, as well as in Enid, Oklahoma. They then returned to the family farm, northwest of Kingfisher, where they farmed for many years. After Marvin’s retirement, they moved into Kingfisher, to live in the house they were married in – the remodeled E&R Church building. Irene enjoyed saying that she had been married in her kitchen.
Irene was a farm wife; she gardened, cooked for the harvest crews, drove the wheat truck, helped care for farm animals, and kept the home running smoothly. She also worked part time during tax season at Solomon Agency in Kingfisher. She loved playing piano and organ, and was organist of the Federated Church for over 25 years. Irene was a gifted seamstress, making clothes for herself, her daughter, and all the grandchildren, who knew that there wasn’t an outfit that existed that Grandma couldn’t make, and make well. Plus – embroider your name on it.
Irene was a member of the Kingfisher Federated Church, and enjoyed being involved with the choir as well as serving on various committees. She was an active member of the Willing Workers Extension Homemakers Group, serving in various leadership capacities. She and her husband Marvin also served for many years as reading mentors in the elementary schools, and delivered meals for Meals on Wheels. She loved being a farm wife and mother, sewing, cooking, and quietly serving others with a sweet, kind spirit.
Irene is survived by her son Scott and his wife Shirlene, daughter Kathy and her husband Mark Sever, Grandchildren Cassandra Maloney, Garrett Reames, Wally and Kylie Plumbohm, Sydney and Kelly Hickman, Shelby Sever, great-grandchildren Caidan and Rae Lynn Bevacqua, plus a host of extended family.
Irene was preceded in death by her brother Emil Wendt, her sisters Pauline Collins and Helen Bloss, and her beloved husband Marvin Reames.
Services will be held at the Federated Church at 10:30 am Friday, June 29 with Rev. Charlie Smith officiating, with burial to follow in Kingfisher Cemetery. Rev. Smith, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Salina, KS, is a former pastor of the Federated Church. Memorial donations can be made to the Federated Church in Kingfisher or the Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher.
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