Obituary for Irene V. Zebel
Irene Veronica Zebel (Barrett), 88, of Strafford, Missouri, passed on to her Heavenly home on December 28, 2022, surrounded by family. She was born April 25, 1934, in Laclede County, Missouri, and was the youngest of 10 children born to Sadie Barrett (Montgomery) and Thomas Barrett, Sr.
On December 2, 1951, Irene married the love of her life, Ulis “Gene” Zebel, in Carroll County, Arkansas. Together they built a beautiful family of four daughters. Gene preceded Irene in death on April 1, 1999.
Irene was a devout Catholic, being a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at the time of her passing. A beloved nephew, recently described his “Aunt Renie” as having Irish grit and always accepting life’s challenges with pride and courage. As a young child, Irene suffered severe burns covering much of her body and later had fingers removed as a result of her burns. An injury that could have very likely ended her young life instead fueled a lifelong determination to overcome any obstacle. A frequent phrase spoken by Irene was, “This too shall pass.” If you heard these words from her, she was telling you that your troubles are only here for a moment and that she had faith in your strength to endure anything placed in your path.
Strength and work ethic were never lacking in Irene. She overcame her physical limitations and worked in a manufacturing plant, learned to type, became a beautician, taught cosmetology classes, and was the family seamstress. Irene retired from CoxHealth in 1999 after serving as a respiratory therapist for over 20 years.
In her retirement, Irene enjoyed attending country and western dances, often dancing circles around others half her age. She spent time traveling to visit family and opening her home to host family from out of town. Family meant everything to Irene, and she was overjoyed at the arrival of every new baby. She felt that every baby is a blessing from God. Irene was known to make clothing and hand-embroidered quilts for the children of the family. She had an abundance of creativity and talent.
Irene is survived by her daughters Brenda [Fred] Lawson of Strafford, Patricia [Lawrence] Frazier of Rogersville, Pamela Compton of Strafford, and Valerie Cummings and fiancé Robert Balek of Springfield. Irene was “Memaw” to 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Grandchildren include Brandon [Tiffany] Taylor, Jeffrey Taylor, Stephanie [Donald] Anderson, James Windham, Jason [Amy] Taylor, Stacey [Jason] Back, Matthew [Bridgett] Taylor, Joshua Bruner, Craig [Jessica] Bruner, Kyle [Lauren] Cummings, Mark [Julie] Lawson, and Rissia [Danny] VanVleck. Irene also had a special grandmotherly bond with Michelle, Joseph, and Nathan Balek. Irene is survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as three sisters-in-law, Sarah “Tiny” Harrell, Ruth Zebel and Yvonne Barrett. She is survived by countless other relatives and close friends she considered family.
Preceding Irene in death were her husband, Gene, her parents, and her nine brothers and sisters; Blanche Gentz, Ann Finley, Margaret Vuichard, Kathryn Beard, Thomas Barrett, Jr., John Barrett, Charles Barrett, Clarence Barrett, and Lawrence Barrett.
Visitation will be on January 4, 2023, at 9:00 am, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1115 N. Campbell Ave. with funeral mass following at 10:00 am. Graveside services will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 4677 W. Division St., Springfield, under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home.
On December 2, 1951, Irene married the love of her life, Ulis “Gene” Zebel, in Carroll County, Arkansas. Together they built a beautiful family of four daughters. Gene preceded Irene in death on April 1, 1999.
Irene was a devout Catholic, being a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at the time of her passing. A beloved nephew, recently described his “Aunt Renie” as having Irish grit and always accepting life’s challenges with pride and courage. As a young child, Irene suffered severe burns covering much of her body and later had fingers removed as a result of her burns. An injury that could have very likely ended her young life instead fueled a lifelong determination to overcome any obstacle. A frequent phrase spoken by Irene was, “This too shall pass.” If you heard these words from her, she was telling you that your troubles are only here for a moment and that she had faith in your strength to endure anything placed in your path.
Strength and work ethic were never lacking in Irene. She overcame her physical limitations and worked in a manufacturing plant, learned to type, became a beautician, taught cosmetology classes, and was the family seamstress. Irene retired from CoxHealth in 1999 after serving as a respiratory therapist for over 20 years.
In her retirement, Irene enjoyed attending country and western dances, often dancing circles around others half her age. She spent time traveling to visit family and opening her home to host family from out of town. Family meant everything to Irene, and she was overjoyed at the arrival of every new baby. She felt that every baby is a blessing from God. Irene was known to make clothing and hand-embroidered quilts for the children of the family. She had an abundance of creativity and talent.
Irene is survived by her daughters Brenda [Fred] Lawson of Strafford, Patricia [Lawrence] Frazier of Rogersville, Pamela Compton of Strafford, and Valerie Cummings and fiancé Robert Balek of Springfield. Irene was “Memaw” to 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Grandchildren include Brandon [Tiffany] Taylor, Jeffrey Taylor, Stephanie [Donald] Anderson, James Windham, Jason [Amy] Taylor, Stacey [Jason] Back, Matthew [Bridgett] Taylor, Joshua Bruner, Craig [Jessica] Bruner, Kyle [Lauren] Cummings, Mark [Julie] Lawson, and Rissia [Danny] VanVleck. Irene also had a special grandmotherly bond with Michelle, Joseph, and Nathan Balek. Irene is survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as three sisters-in-law, Sarah “Tiny” Harrell, Ruth Zebel and Yvonne Barrett. She is survived by countless other relatives and close friends she considered family.
Preceding Irene in death were her husband, Gene, her parents, and her nine brothers and sisters; Blanche Gentz, Ann Finley, Margaret Vuichard, Kathryn Beard, Thomas Barrett, Jr., John Barrett, Charles Barrett, Clarence Barrett, and Lawrence Barrett.
Visitation will be on January 4, 2023, at 9:00 am, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1115 N. Campbell Ave. with funeral mass following at 10:00 am. Graveside services will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 4677 W. Division St., Springfield, under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home.