Irene Donahey, 91, the youngest daughter of Sherman & Lillian (Jackson) Brady, was born March 3, 1919 in Phillips County, Kansas and passed away November 8, 2010 at the Logan Manor in Logan, Kansas.

She grew up on a farm six miles north of Logan, Kansas and attended one-room rural country schools. Being the youngest child of the family, she attended one of the same schools where her older sister was teaching. Their father provided horse & wagon transportation to school for both of them.

Irene graduated from Logan High School in 1936. During this time, she lived with Logan families and worked for room & board. After high school she provided in-home child care services for area families.

On February 28, 1944, she was united in marriage to Lawrence Ivan Donahey at the Norton County Courthouse in Norton, Kansas. After a brief honeymoon in the mountains, the couple moved to a farm known as the Cole Place, southwest of Speed, Kansas. In March, 1949, Lawrence & Irene purchased what was then known as the Radloff Place, located 2 ½ miles east of Logan.

In addition to raising a family of five children, Irene gardened, sewed, raised chickens, and assisted in the family's farming operation. She was also a member of the local unity club.

When she was a young girl, she had learned and enjoyed the art of embroidery. After raising her children, Irene was dedicated to pursuing her interest in cross stitch, quilting, knitting and crocheting. She spent a lot of her free time creating beautiful wall hangings, framed pictures, afghans and pillows.

As a young woman, Irene's dream was to be a nurse; however, her father had discouraged her pursuit of that dream. So in 1978, after her children were grown, she took classes from Colby Community College and earned her certificate as a Geriatric Aide. Irene passed on her love of learning to her children and was very proud that each child and grandchild earned a college degree.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Lawrence; her parents; her brothers: Charley, Stanley, Joe and Frank; and sisters: Opal Allen, Hazel McCleary, Eva Laughlin and Eunice Snodgrass.

She will be greatly missed by her family. Survivors include five children, seven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Irene's family tree includes: daughter Lorene Reese of Shawnee, KS; daughter Linda Tysinger & husband, Phil, of Topeka, KS, granddaughter Erin & husband, Zach, and great-grandson, Oliver; son Daryl & wife, Sherry, of Manhattan, KS, granddaughter Brenda & husband, Randy Macke, and great-granddaughter, Samantha; grandson Jason & wife, Courtney, and great-granddaughters, Avery & Cameron; son, Larry & wife, Marilyn, of Norton, KS, grandson Nathan & wife, Kerri, and great-grandchildren Lucy, Jordyn, Dallas, Kayla, Kelly & Austin; and granddaughter, Amanda; son Rex & wife, Elizabeth Kaplan, of Farmington Hills, MI and grandchildren Kelly & James. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Bessie Donahey and Mary Lou Donahey, both of Logan, KS; as well as several nieces & nephews.

Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in the Logan Funeral Home, Logan, KS. Burial followed in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Logan Public Library/Children's Section.

Logan Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements.