Irene Refior

I rene R efior, age 89, of North Platte, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, October 30, 2020.

Irene was born at Vivian, South Dakota, to Zura and Florence (Rademaker) Rishel on March 26, 1931. She grew up and attended school in South Dakota and years later received her GED.

On July 24, 1948, Irene married Donald Brown in Vermillion, South Dakota, and to this union three children, Marjorie, Kenneth and Cheryl, were born. The family later moved to Iowa then to North Platte in 1960. After Don died in 1975, Irene married Lloyd Refior on December 16, 1978, in North Platte. She and Lloyd were together until his death in 1991.

Irene was a member of the First Baptist Church. She and her granddaughter were baptized together on Easter Sunday in 2001. Irene enjoyed doing embroidery, cross stitching, knitting and crocheting. She loved her family and was happiest helping others.

She is survived by her children, Marjorie Gleason and Cheri (Tom) Oberg, of North Platte; daughter-in-law, Gerri Brown, of Burbank, SD; 10 grandchildren, Vicki, Chad, Clyde, Lyn, Josh, Matt, Samantha, Eva Dawn, Clark and Mariesha; great-grandchildren, Stefi, Brandon, Shaylene, Mariah, Crystal, Tyler, Kenneth D., Jessica, Haley, Alexis, Isiah, Austin, Tristan, Malakye, Magnus, Destiny, Noah, Shayda, Abel, Alaina, Emma, Abigail, Tessa, Brooke, Alex and Christopher; 5 great great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Kalia, Scarlet, Emberlain and Decan; sister-in-law, Delsey Rishel, of North Platte; and other family.

Along with her husbands, Don and Lloyd, Irene was preceded in death by her son, Ken Brown; parents, Zura and Florence Rishel; brother, Cullen Rishel; sister, Ardella Styles; and grandson, Chris Brown.

Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.