Irene Crone – age 81, of Laurens, passed away Thursday, October 7, 2021, at the Fonda Specialty Care Center in Fonda, Iowa.

Elma Irene Oakes was born November 25, 1939 in Scranton, Iowa. She was the daughter of Lyle and Cora (Parker) Oakes. Irene attended country schools, graduating from Jefferson High School in 1957. Following school, she worked as a secretary in Des Moines for several years. On March 3, 1963, Irene was united in marriage to Dallas Crone in Jefferson, IA. The couple settled in Laurens, where Irene worked at Hawley Insurance. After her children started schooling, she drove school bus for several years, then worked as office manager of Good Samaritan Home in Laurens for 15 years.

Irene was a Girl Scout Leader and enjoyed card club, crocheting, needlework, camping, flower and vegetable gardening, attending amusement parks and bowling league as individual and couples.

She is survived by her children, Cathryn "Cathy" (Glenn) Burgmeier of Oak Creek, WI, Steven Crone of Laurens and Brian Crone of Laurens; grandsons, Douglas Crone, Andrew Crone and Zachary Crone; brothers, Glen (Nancy) Oakes of Arkansas and Roger (Sue) Oakes of Milo; sisters, Anna (Roy) Diekman of St. Paul, MN and Judy (Lee) Dahlin of Waterloo.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dallas and a sister and brother-in-law, Lila and Jim Lawton.

In lieu of flowers, Irene's family requests memorials to be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org