Obituary of Irene E. Wilson

Irene Wilson, Elizabeth, CO, passed into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior on June 21, 2023.

Irene was born on March 28, 1937, in Soudan, Minnesota, to Frank and Ailie Palo, of Finnish descent. In her early years and through high school, she grew in her love for Finnish tradition, spending days on the lake, at the saunas, figure skating, sewing, and fishing. She had many talents including baking delicious pastries and breads, singing in musicals and ensembles, playing the piano, and baton twirling. Irene was also known for her painted murals, chalk talks, and flannel graphs that she created and used for Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible School, and missionary projects.

She was married to Wendell Wilson for 69 years. In the 1960s, they moved to Colorado and raised six children, Wendy, Terry, Daryll, Bart, Shawn, and Darla. Irene was a loving wife and mother, full of grace and quiet strength. She was always there for anyone in need and offered a safe place for those needing refuge. She was a living example of a Proverbs 31 woman, her faith and love for God was her strength. To her family, she was the quintessential grandma plucked right from a Norman Rockwell painting. She was known for thrift shopping, showing off her grandkids, and her recipe for homemade rolls that were sent straight from the heavens!

She and Wendell actively served as leaders in their church, and influenced many of the youth under their leadership. Irene was an active member of the Elbert County Women’s Republican Party and served many years as an Election Judge. She also held the position of President of the Women’s Missionary Group and actively served in her community as a mayor’s wife.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Ailie Palo; sisters: Dorothy Charles, Hazel Przybylski, Melia Shikona, Ann Sandys, and Ruth Mattilla; brothers: Jim, Billy, and Paul Palo; son-in-law Randy Dalke; grandchildren: Daniel Wilson and Jerod Wilson; and great grandchild, Jude Wilson.

She’s survived by her husband, Wendell Wilson; children, Wendy (Ed) Dillon, Terry (Susan) Wilson, Daryll (Lana) Wilson, Bart (Christina) Wilson, Shawn Dalke, and Darla Duncan; grandchildren, Kris (Sarah), Nathan, Heather (Dustin), Stephanie (Kevin), Faith (Tom), Hope, Matthew (Serena), John, David, Kaylene, and Joesph; great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Korine, Makayla (Dylan), Derrick, and Cameron; great-great grandchildren, Eliana, Owen, and Odin and sister, Helen Houvinen.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Majestic View Church, 620 Comanche Street, Kiowa, CO 80117. Visitation will be held one hour prior, from10:00 am -11:00 am at the church. Irene will be laid to rest at Elizabeth Cemetery, Elizabeth, CO. Those wishing to contribute in Irene's memory, please visit our site at www.GiveSendGo.com/Irene-Wilson-memory