Irene Marie (Stremel) Foster, Grainfield, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024, in Hays, Kansas surrounded by her loving family. Irene was born October 30, 1945, in Hays, Kansas to Edward (Ed) and Isabel (Schuckman) Stremel. Irene attended and graduated from Schoenchen High School, Schoenchen, Kansas. She married James L. Ross and later married Morris Ray Foster in in Canton, Georgia in1984.
After graduating from high school, Irene was employed at TEMPO and at TRAVENOL in Hays, Kansas. She later moved to Georgia and was employed by Lockheed Martin, Marietta, Georgia. She then worked for and retired from Northwest Airlines, Minneapolis, Minnesota. She belonged to the Grainfield American Legion Auxiliary Post 301, was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield, Kansas and St Agnes Catholic Ladies Guild, a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Elk Foundation committee member. Irene loved working with her arts and crafts, especially her stained -glass projects. Camping, traveling, and volunteering were some of her favorite things to do. Most of all, Irene loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Irene is preceded in death by Morris Foster, her spouse of 32 years; parents, Ed and Isabel Stremel; and brother, John Stremel.
She leaves to mourn her passing, two sons, Jeff Ross of Fairmont, Nebraska and Dale Ross of Auburn, Washington; granddaughter, Jenna Ginther and husband Cory; grandson, Randy Ross of Amarillo, Texas; great-grandsons, Jacob, Jeremiah, and Justan Fox; great granddaughter, Jaelyn Ginther; sister, Esther Schaffer; two brothers, Ed Stremel and wife Mary of Olathe, Kansas and Mike Stremel and wife Lori of Hays; sister-in-law, Claudia Stremel and companion, Arlyn Wasinger; and many special nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial is planned for Thursday, February 1, 2024, 10:00 AM, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Wakeeney, Kansas. Interment will immediately follow the service in the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Wakeeney, Kansas. Visitation will be held at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, Kansas, Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a Vigil service starting at 7:00 PM. Family will greet friends from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Grainfield American Legion Post 301 or St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield, Kansas. Memorials may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Words of caring and comfort may be left at mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.