Irene Blanch (Sorell) Fringer was born September 28, 1921 in Garden City, Kansas to Louis Edward (Ed) and Evelyne Eva (Patenaude) Sorell.
She passed away February 13, 2019 at the age of 97 at Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin.
Irene was the youngest of four daughters born to Ed and Evelyne. Her childhood was spent in many places, as Ed was a handyman and went where he could find work. At the age of four, Irene and her family moved to Dresden, Kansas. This is where they called home for many years.
Irene graduated from Dresden High School in 1942. After high school she took care of her parents and was a house keeper for people in the community.
On January 19, 1957 Verman Jessy Fringer and Irene were married in Norton, Kansas. After their marriage they made their home on the Fringer farmstead in Custer Township south east of Oberlin. To this union three children were born. Rose, Robert, and Patricia (Patty).
Irene enjoyed farm life and all that came with the title of being a farmer’s wife. She loved and cared for the many animals on the farm. Her favorites were her cats; however, with the many family dogs running a close second.
In 1981 Irene and Verman moved to Oberlin as the farm life was getting too much for them. It was also about this time that Irene decided she needed to learn to drive a car. So, at age 60, Robert taught his mom to drive. She then became very self-sufficient and loved making trips up town.
Irene was a resident at CLC and then at Good Sam for many years. She always enjoyed being the “greeter” and always had a smile for those entering if she was at her table.
Irene enjoyed visiting with whoever might stop by. She especially loved visits from her grandkids and great grandkids, and always insisted she needed new pictures of them.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Evelyne; sisters: Zelda Barker, Josephine Plante and Louise Tilten and husband, Verman.
Irene is survived by her son, Robert Edward (Penny) Fringer of Oberlin; daughters: Rose Evelyne Fringer (Rick Stienhour) of Nebraska, and Patricia Ann (Bill) Killingsworth of Salina; grandchildren: Dylan Jay Killingsworth of Salina, KS, Ellen JoAnn (Fringer ) Osborne of Wichita, KS, Wayland Stienhour of Nebraska, Rebecca Jean (Fringer) Jones of Colby, KS, Wendi Alta Kay (Killingsworth ) Davila of Salina, KS, Dalton Stienhour of Nebraska, Sarah Jane (Fringer) Wolf of Colby, KS; 11 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many many friends.
A Wake Service will be held Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 1:30 pm at Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin, KS. Burial will follow at Oberlin Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 am – 1:00 pm before the service. The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Society of Decatur County for the flooring project. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com