Irene M. Wylie, daughter of Henry & Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Dill) Gackstatter, was born September 11, 1923 in Phillips County, Kansas, and died February 10, 2011 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 87.

She attended the rural Highland School during her elementary years and later graduated from Phillipsburg High School, earning her Normal certificate to teach. Following graduation, Irene taught for a while at the Highland School and then went on to attend and graduate from Wichita Business School in Wichita, Kansas. She furthered her business education with two years at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

On January 20, 1949, Irene married Lynn Wylie in Wichita, Kansas. This union was blessed with two children, Linda and John. The family lived in Oklahoma and several cities in Colorado before returning to Kansas. Lynn and Irene divorced in 1967.

Irene worked as a stenographer at Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company in Phillipsburg for 20 years. She was a dedicated member of the Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir, teaching children's Sunday school, and serving as a pianist and/or organist. She was also involved in the Mary & Martha's Circle group.

Irene was an exceptional seamstress and loved baking & cooking for her family. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren were the lights of her life. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Her parents; brother, Herman Gackstatter; sister, Agnes Howard; brothers-in-law, Ed Howard and August Miller; and sisters-in-law, Fern and Emma Gackstatter, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda Everett & husband, Mike, of Baldwin City, KS; her son, John Wylie & wife, Leanna, of Quinter, KS; two grandchildren, Kurt Everett & wife, Lauren, of Overland Park, KS and Kara Everett of Baldwin City, KS; three step grandchildren: Heather Whalen & husband, Thad of Overland Park, KS; Andrea Hargitt & husband, Travis, of Quinter, KS; and Jeff Ruckman, also of Quinter, KS; one great-granddaughter, Lyla Everett; and five step great-grandchildren: Jonah & Sydney Ruckman; and Stella, Sophie & Jude Whalen. Two brothers and one sister also survive: Arnold Gackstatter & wife, Esther, of Newton, KS; Edwin Gackstatter of Guymon, OK; and Hattie Miller of Phillipsburg, KS.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the United Presbyterian Church, Phillipsburg, with Rev. Chris Davis & Pastor Jeff Ruckman officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Visitation will be from Noon to 9:00 Sat. & Sun. at the funeral home.

Memorials have been established to the Presbyterian Music Ministry or Children's Ministry and the Phillips County Retirement Center.