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Irene Ernestine DePaepe Obituary

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Irene Ernestine DePaepe

Portland, OR

April 16, 1930 - May 19, 2023

Irene Ernestine DePaepe Obituary

Irene “Sitter” Ernestine DePaepe (Bible) born April 16, 1930 to James Philip and Mattie Alice (Fisher) Bible at home in Ocheleta, OK. She is 1/16 Cherokee Indian. Irene is one of 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls) - Minnie “Shanks”, Clifford “Big'n”, James “Cuck”, Mary “Dude”, Thelma “Bay”, Robert “Pigskin”, Daisy “Poot”, Art, and Dennis “Bob.” Before she was in the sixth grade she loved to read, especially stories about nurses. She quickly read all the books in the small bookcase at school.

When her family moved to Springfield, Oregon she attended Springfield High School and concentrated her studies in the field of nursing. She took Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and math courses. She worked weekends folding and sorting laundry at Sacred Heart Hospital and was sponsored with a scholarship to the Sacred Heart Nursing School. She graduated after three years on June 23, 1951. She was a smart lady. In three years of nursing school she had 27 A’s and B’s and only 2 C's and had the highest state board exam score in the communicable diseases discipline.

Irene met Julius in about 1950 while dancing at the WOW (Woodman of the World) Hall in Eugene, Oregon. This was a multi-purpose building that held weekly dances. Most people considered WOW to stand for Wild Old Women and Worn Out Wolves. They got married on July 5, 1952. They were married for 57 years. They had 9 children (6 boys and 3 girls) – David, Joseph, Michael, Daniel, Jonie, Gemma, Katrina, Timothy, and Vincent. They started out in Springfield, then to Eugene, and then moved an 11 acre farm in Alvadore, Oregon in 1970. The farm consisted of cherry, apple, and prune trees, pasture and marion berries. Irene was a home health nurse for about 20 years. She also served on the Bethel School Board at Willamette High School for several years. She also ran for State Representative.

Julius and Irene enthusiastically embarked on the next phase of their life after retiring (and selling the farm) by traveling around with their fifth wheel. They eventually settled in Ramona, OK and built a home on 40 acres of family land with a small pond and oil rig. After finishing the house in 1995 everyone visited their new home with a large bay window overlooking the valley below. After several years they sold the property and moved to Molalla, Oregon to be closer to friends and family. Julius died December 17, 2009. Irene kept herself busy with her family, her church, and going to the casino with her friends. Irene moved to a retirement home. She moved two more times before she found the place that felt like home. She died on May 19, 2023. Irene has 17 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren (and one on the way).

She will be buried with Julius at Willamette National Cemetery. A memorial service will be at Mt. Scott Funeral Home at 4205 SE 59th Ave, Portland, OR on May 26, 2023 at 9 AM. Burial at 1030. Reception will be at Michael and Marie's, 5240 SW Natchez St. Tualatin, OR. She requested no viewing.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Irene Ernestine DePaepe hosted by Mt Scott Funeral Home.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Irene Ernestine DePaepe.