Irene Page

1928 - 2016

Irene W. Page
March 4, 1928 ~ May 5, 2016
Irene Page, 88, Cambridge, Idaho died of a stroke while surrounded by her family, on May 5, 2016. She was born March 4, 1928 on her parents' homestead, 7 miles east of Cambridge, Idaho. Her parents, Fred and Rose Muir Toney, raised 7 children on the homestead: Violet Muir, William Muir, Lillian Muir, Allen Muir, Leo Toney, Irene Toney and Joseph Toney.
She was a lifelong member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Cambridge. Her mother Rose would take the children to this same church with horse and wagon, a 2 hour trip each way.
Irene went to Highland Grade School, a one room country school that taught all 8 grades in one. She always rode the horse bareback to school, 3 miles each way. She graduated from Weiser High School in 1946.
She worked at the Cambridge Cafe (now the Senior Citizen Center), then as a bookkeeper at the Golden Rule store (the Ranch House Cafe) and also at Cambridge Welding (behind Bucky's cafe).
She married Larry Page in 1950 and raised 6 children: Danny, Dennis, David, Donnie, Dean and after 5 boys they got their precious girl, Laurene. Irene's mother Rose was born in Ireland and Irene was Irish at heart. She was taught that in the Irish culture, nothing is as important as family. Irene loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her greatest joy was having a house full. The house they built continues to be a gathering place for family. It was typical to have 30 at the family gatherings and the more there, the better she liked it.
Irene was a hard worker raising a big garden to feed her family, canning fruit and baking bread. Irene worked at the City Market (Loveland's General Store) for 47 years. She started as a clerk in 1963 and in 1980 she and daughter Laurene purchased the store and operated it for 30 years. They bought the adjoining Danielson's market in 1992, combining the two stores. Irene worked at the store every day until she was 82. They sold the store to Loveland's in 2010.
Irene is survived by her children Danny (Judy) of Council, Dennis (Sharon) of Idaho Falls, David (Diane) of Middleton, Dean (Pattie) of Cambridge, Laurene (Ernie) Houghton of Cambridge. A brother Leo (Georgia) Toney of Ontario, Oregon. Numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Larry, son Donnie, Brothers William Muir, Allen Muir, Joseph Toney and sisters Violet Ryan and Lillian Hall.
Viewing and Rosary, Tuesday, May 10, 7 PM at Thomason Funeral Home, Weiser. Services on Wednesday, May 11, 2PM, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Cambridge. The family will meet with friends and a viewing at 1PM before the service. Burial will be at the Cambridge Cemetery. Friends are invited to a dinner at the Cambridge Baptist Church following interment.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Cambridge Volunteer Ambulance. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lienkaemper-thomason.com.