Irene M. VanNieuwenhuyse age 97 of DeWitt, IA, passed away Wednesday Jan. 19, 2022 at Genesis Health-DeWitt. A Mass will be held 10:30 AM Friday Jan. 28th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeWitt. Visitation will be held Friday Jan. 28th from 9:00 AM until the service at the church. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family. Burial will be at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Clinton Humane Society or Pathways Living Center. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
Irene was born on Dec. 2, 1924 in Evanston, IL, the daughter of Auguste and Alida (Verbeke) DeVinck. She graduated from Evanston High School in 1943. She married Gaston VanNieuwenhuyse on Oct. 25, 1947 in Moline, IL; he died in 2002. Irene was a homemaker and worked as a nurses aid at a pediatrician’s office. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt and active with the U.S.O. Irene and Van enjoyed many years of retirement in Florida together. She enjoyed golfing, swimming, ceramics, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Irene is survived by two daughters, Jean (Jim) Adams and Mary McLaughlin both of DeWitt, IA; six grandchildren, Kelly, Molly, Sally, Carol, Andrew, and Emily; nine greatgrandchildren, Aviva, Natalie, James, Andrew, Nina, Madeline, Joseph, Ignatius, and Abraham. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her daughter, Sally, her son, Paul, and a brother – Walter.
Mary and Jeannie,
I was so sorry to hear of your mom‘s passing.I have many good memories of picnics with the Van family and our trips to Clinton when your dad still have the store. A connection that you probably didn’t know wild was that I was your grandparents paper boy when they lived in the apartment near Sacred Heart Church in Moline. We only lived a half a block from them and would see them quite often.
I will keep you and your families in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Dearest Family:
Sending my most sincere condolences to my dear cousins, Jeanie and Mary, at the loss of your beloved mother. I’m so very grateful that we were able to connect two years ago in DeWitt. I have nothing but the fondest memories of my Aunt Irene, going back to your home in Clinton, to her coming to my wedding in Carmel California in 1978. I know how much she loved her older brother and how much he loved his little sister. May God hold her closely since she is in His arms now. I love you all!
Sincerely,
Robert
She always knew what the temperature was in Las Vegas, or wherever I lived, even if I didn’t. She knew because she cared deeply – about all of us. I was always separated from you all but if I wanted an update on any of you – I just asked Gramma. She cared and paid attention to the things that I liked, like sharks or Chloe, my pink toy poodle. She loved Chloe and asked about her all the time. I thought it was funny she had more pictures of Chloe up in her apartment than me. Over the last few decades as I continued to grow further apart from this family, I remained connected to her and to everyone though her. She was an anchor for me. Gramma was HOME for me. I’ve never made a visit to Iowa without her being a part of it.
I have had the gift of getting to spend some special time with her very recently. I came for the past holiday and spent a few weeks with her. We went through old photos, did crafts, shared meals, played with Chloe, and laughed. I got to hug her every day. She even took me to the airport last week and shared a meal before I got on the plane. Best Christmas gift ever!
She was always put together, wearing jewelry and looking nice for the occasion. She delighted in dressing up.
She really really wanted to keep up with the latest technology. She always tried to stay connected.
She loved to be creative and crafty! I am super lucky to have had her last project be for me and mom. We got some elephant figures at the craft store because we both collected elephants and had Gramma paint them for us. That elephant will always be my favorite.
She always sent birthday cards, holidays cards, and little notes. She never ever forgot. I now have my last card from her for my upcoming birthday. She gave it to me before I left on the 9th and told me not to open it till my birthday on the 29th. I won’t. That will be the last one. She didn’t forget even though she is gone. I will not take this one for granted, I look forward to opening it and reading her last words to me.
We could be silly together. I thought it might be OK to bring Chloe to Christmas Eve Mass. Gramma agreed. Mom stopped that action, thinking DeWitt might not be the place for that. She was so crazy about that dog. They loved each other.
She liked simple things. I remember when she was helping me move into my dorm 30 years ago in Santa Barbara she was miffed that she could not find a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on any menu, or when she came to visit me one time she preferred Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup to anything “fancy” I was to make.
She always came to visit me. No matter where I lived.
She was independent. It was hard for her to need help.
I only ever saw her cry once in my presence. It was one time when she was saying goodbye to me after a visit. I never doubted I was loved deeply by her.
There are too many things that I will miss to list, but a few are talking to her on the phone and the COOKIES – she always had cookies. Most of all I’m going to miss someone who I never had to guess loved me.
Bye-Bye Gramma
Just heard about Aunt Irene. She was one great lady who will be missed by everyone that knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Condolences to the Van family.Irene lived such a long wonderful life.Sally and Paul will be happy to see her.Rest in peace Irene.♡♡