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BORN
1931
DIED
2024
Irene Locke Obituary
Irene Locke
September 19,1931 - March 06,2024
Irene Isabella Locke (nee Morgan) was born on September 19, 1931 in Michigan. She and her family moved to Bemidji, Minnesota when she was a young girl. In June of 1950, Irene was united in marriage to her beloved Earl Locke. They moved to Belgrade, MT in August of 1951 and started their family. Together they had two children and shared a lifetime of love.
Irene was well known for her beautiful wedding and birthday cakes. She enjoyed making each cake very special for the recipient and used her creativity to the fullest. Later in life, she discovered painting and quilling and excelled at those crafts too. She enjoyed giving her art as gifts and was thrilled to be asked to join a craft show the year before she died. She had a story for each item - why she chose the colors, how she created the patterns, etc.
Irene and Earl enjoyed fishing and hunting together. They went to the West Coast for salmon fishing and hiked many miles in the mountains of Montana for elk and deer. Irene canned and filled their freezer for many years.
Irene loved their many friends and fully participated in the group adventures: river rafting, camping, and dancing. She and Earl spent a couple months each winter in Arizona for several years after he retired. Friends and family made quite a caravan as they drove south from Montana. Four-wheeling in the desert, talking, laughing and many fun card games in each other's campers made memories that enriched those retirement years.
Irene Locke passed away on March 6, 2024 after a brief illness. She was proceeded in death by her parents Edith and John Smith, siblings Stella, Wesley, Steven and Ruby and great grandson Cody. She is survived by her son David (Kristin) Locke and her daughter Christine Breeton; grandsons Danny Breeton, Brian Breeton, Scott (Charity) Breeton, Allan (Sofia) Locke and Kevin (Lauren) Locke; great grandchildren Octavia, Obidiah and Evelynn; siblings Francis, Thelma, Shirley, Shelby and Lynda.
Internment of ashes will be at 11:30a.m. on Tuesday March 26th at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Helena, MT. A celebration of life luncheon will be held immediately after at Event Thyme, 3120 Euclid Avenue, at the west end of Helena.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to your local animal shelterescue in honor of Peanuts, the lucky Chihuahua Irene and Eearl adopted, loved and spoiled rotten.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Irene Locke
5 Entries
Pat Ladd
December 18, 2024
My favorite memory of Irene and Earl at this time of year is the yummy popcorn cake Earl would make filled with spice gummy candies. They were both so generous. I think of them fondly and am happy to have known them and made memories with them.
Tammy Morgan
April 12, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Duwayne and Lori Fingerson
March 16, 2024
Our family came into Earl and Irene´s life about 1972. We did so many things together with our family and their family and over the years we just became apart of each other´s family. We loved them both and will miss them both. Irene and I talked on the phone three or four times a week. Will miss her voice and her laugh. They were such awesome people and friends. Irene has joined her beloved Earl and can rest now. Love you forever! Duwayne and Lori
Katie Wright
March 14, 2024
My family and I had the good fortune to have Earl and Irene as neighbors. Irene was thoughtful and loved her family so much. She was so good to my three boys and the best neighbor anyone could ask for. I am thankful to have known Irene. I remember how much she loved her little dog Peanuts. He was lucky to be adopted by such a wonderful couple.
The Wright Family
Pat Ladd
March 14, 2024
Irene and Earl were both wonderful people and will be remembered kindly by all the folks they played pinochle with at the senior center. I will especially miss Irene and her laughter. She was a dear friend.
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