Irene Wilcox

Irene Wilcox, 103, of Humboldt, passed away January 24, 2016 at the Long Term Care Unit of the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt with the Rev. Gene Broughton officiating. Interment will be in Indian Mound Cemetery, Humboldt. Visitation is from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Mrs. Wilcox is survived by her son, Richard (Pat) Wilcox of Kingsport, TN; grandchildren, Jerry and Paula Dahl of Rutland, Judy Nilles and special friend Kevin Thilges of Dakota City, Kelly and Brenda Dahl of Kearney, NE, Scott and Deb Dahl of Dakota City, Bill Wilcox, Gary Wilcox, Shawn Wilcox, Eric Wilcox of Germany, Aaron Wilcox of Des Moines, and Paige Wilcox of San Francisco, CA; many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Frances Knight of Eagle Grove. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond Wilcox; son Gary Wilcox; daughter, Ardis Dahl; 5 brothers; 1 sister; and grandson-in-law, Tom Nilles.
Irene Helen Louise Zielske, the daughter of Richard and Bertha (Ruhnke) Zielske, was born December 27, 1912 at Hubbard, Iowa. She was raised at Ledyard and Lakota attending Gerald Country School and Ledyard Community School where she played basketball and graduated Valedictorian of her class. Following her graduation, she continued her education at nursing school in Kansas. She was united in marriage to Raymond Wilcox on August 7, 1933 and the couple made their home in the Vincent and Fort Dodge areas where they farmed for many years. The family moved to Humboldt where they owned and operated a nursing home. Irene was also employed in Cody’s Grocery Store and for Dr. Bauer in Humboldt. The couple then moved to Ames where Irene and Raymond were employed by Hallett Materials until their retirement. In 1978, they returned to Humboldt where they maintained their home until moving to Springvale Living. Mr. Wilcox passed away in June of 2007 and in 2011 Irene became a resident of the Long Term Care Unit of the hospital. She passed away there on the morning of January 24, 2016 at the age of 103.
Mrs. Wilcox was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and Circle. She enjoyed quilting and needlepoint, crossword puzzles and playing cards and dominoes. She was an excellent lefse maker and was a member of the garden club.