Irene Lawson

T he matriarch of a loving family, Irene (Klein) Lawson entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

Irene was born in Lincoln to parents John and Anna Klein on May 8, 1927. The Klein family moved to Cozad where she and her siblings helped their parents farm in rural Cozad. After high school graduation, Irene lived briefly in Denver, CO, later residing in North Platte, Gering, Cheyenne, WY, and finally returning to North Platte where she was residing in Centennial Park Retirement Village at the time of her passing.

Irene married Gene James and to this union they raised five children and later divorced. On July 16, 1967, Irene was united in marriage to Roger Lawson, Sr. in North Platte and together they made a large, blended family, which Irene loved especially during holidays. She liked camping, traveling to new places and dancing.  She also liked presenting handmade needlepoint gifts to friends and family, cooking and playing Bingo and other games with friends. Irene enjoyed her relationship with the Episcopal Church, treasuring the guidance of Rev. Dr. Timothy Davies of Cheyenne.  Irene was a kind, loving woman who greatly loved her family and cared for others.

Being the youngest of the Klein family, Irene was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Jacob and Edward Klein and sisters, Marie Love, Martha Schroeder and Rosie Olds; her husband, Roger Lawson Sr.; sons, Jerry and Gary James; son-in-law, Al Kosmicki; and grandsons, Eric James, Jeremy McCain and Jeff Lindholm.

Irene is survived by her daughters, Judy Kosmicki, of Grand Island and Connie Breach, of North Platte; son, Bill (Diane) James, of Marietta, GA; stepson, Roger, Jr. (Marlene) Lawson, of Cheyenne, WY, stepdaughter, Sharron Thompson (Glen Belknap), of Alliance; son-in-law, Gene Breach, of North Platte; daughter-in-law, Pam James, of Longmont, CO; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, other family and her friends.

In keeping with Irene’s wishes, cremation was chosen.  Services will be held at 2 p.m. (CT) on Friday, July 31, 2020, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com, Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore or at the graveside.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the North Platte Backpack Program.  Cards and memorials can be sent to Odean Colonial Chapel, 302 South Sycamore, North Platte NE 69101, which is in charge of arrangements.