Irene Whelan

KERRVILLE - Irene "Memaw" Bost Whelan ended her earthly journey to be with her Lord, God, on Monday, November 2, 2015.

Irene was born on December 1, 1918 to the late John and Ola Bost in Victoria, Texas. She was the second born of eight children. Irene attended school in Buda and Luling, TX. She was very active in basketball and baseball, and graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class.

Irene was always a hard worker. She and her older sister took care of siblings and household chores until she began working at Lehman's Variety Store after graduation. This is where Irene met her husband, James Whelan Jr., who was the new manager at Lehman's. Sometime later, she followed James to Kerrville, TX where she worked as the Pampell's Drug Store book keeper and other various jobs. On October 8, 1938, James and Irene were married in Kerrville, TX. They resided in Ingram, TX for the rest of their lives, as she worked seasonally for T.J. Moore Lumber yard, JW Priour and Whelan Construction.

Irene loved cooking and baking. It was said by her cousin Kay, "Aunt Irene always had one cake done and another started." She always had a spotless home that James built for her. She was always involved with Jimmy and Patricia's school activities of home room parent, P.T.A. and 4-H Club. Irene and James were both involved with Boy Scouts, Brownies, Rifle Club, FFA Stock Shows, Home-Making and everything else that comes with being a parent. Her other interests and hobbies were working in here half acre yard, dancing club, Revelers Club, playing cards with friends and family, fishing, swimming, and attending various football and volleyball games. Later in her life, her five grandchildren and thirteen great- grandchildren (3 sets of twins!), continued to keep her busy and young at heart. She insisted on attending school activities, graduations, weddings, and always being included. She never wanted to be left out!

Irene's love for everyone was always visible. She spent many hours enjoying her time with siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. She loved and trusted her physician, Dr. James Young and her hospice family. Special thanks to Lisa Davis, Belinda, Paulette, Jennifer, Martha, Elouise, Dana, Aaron, Jenny and Chaplain Steve Doss for their care and love they have shown Irene.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ola Bost; husband, James T. Whelan Jr.; brother and sister-in laws, John David and Evelyn Bost and A.T. and Annie Bost; brothers, Ellis Roy Bost and Leland Francis Bost; sister and brother in-laws, Louise and Dale Burditt and Catherine and Elton Moore; brother in-law and sister in-laws, Bernard and Ramona Whelan, Gene and Ann Louden and Ozzie and Catherine Herzog.

Those left to honor and cherish her memory include her son, Jimmy and wife, Betty Whelan; grandson, Jimmy and wife, Carrie along with their children Katie and Caleb; granddaughter, Jodie Whelan-Gearlds and children, Jamie and K.T.; daughter, Patricia and husband, Alton Petsch; granddaughter, Maria and husband, David Low along with children, Meagan and husband Scott Williams and Zachary Low; granddaughter, Michelle and husband Rick Coldwell along with their children, Sydney and Rylee; granddaughter, Melanie and husband, Robert Ehrlich and their children, Ashley, Robert, Brooke and Brandy; sister, Mary Niccum; sister in-laws, Magdeline Bost and Ena Bost.

A visitation and time of reflection will be held at Kerrville Funeral Home, 1221 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, TX on Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 6-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM on Friday, November 6, 2015 at Living Tree Baptist Church in Ingram, TX with Rev. Thomas Jeffers officiating. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Kerrville, TX.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Peterson Hospice of Kerrville, Texas, Living Tree Baptist Church, Ingram, Texas, and St. Peter Upon the Water, Ingram, Texas.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory at www.kerrvillefuneralhometx.com Select obituaries, select "sign guestbook" at the top of the individual memorial.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. (830) 895-5111

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