Irene O’Herron Johnson, age 102 of Carroll, died early Thursday morning, July 25, 2013 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
A private family funeral mass will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll.
Born on July 7, 1911 in Dedham, Iowa, Irene Nell was the daughter of Edward and Theresa (Pietig) Zitzlsperger. Irene grew up with her siblings Ida and Ernest and attended school in Carroll and later worked at F.W. Woolworth Company for a brief time.
On August 18, 1931 she was united in marriage to Donald “Scotty” O’Herron at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham. They resided in Carroll until 1942 when they moved to Oakridge, Tennessee where Scotty worked on the atomic bomb project. The couple then returned to the Carroll community and purchased Motel Lincoln. Irene worked very hard raising their family along with overseeing the housekeeping duties that went along with owning a motel. She and Scotty would always allow time for escapes to many lakes for fishing excursions, square dancing, and annual summer vacations at Blackhawk Lake.
After retiring from the motel business in 1964 the O’Herron’s built their new home in Carroll. Irene supported her husband Scotty in his long tenure as Carroll County Supervisor, and also was active in St. Lawrence Parish, Ladies Guild, Catholic Daughters, St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary and the Carroll County Democratic Party. Irene enjoyed playing bridge with the many card clubs she belonged to. She also loved watching spectator sports especially when her children and grandchildren were participating.
Following Scotty’s death in 1969, Irene found love again and married Edwin “Eddie” Johnson on October 20, 1972 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. Eddie and Irene experienced many years of traveling around the United States and International places, including Japan and the Philippines. They also enjoyed many extended visits to see their children and grandchildren.
Left to cherish her memory are her sons: James (Hilaria) O’Herron of Mesa, AZ, and Ronald (Sheri) O’Herron of Denver, CO; and her daughter, Mari (Douglas) Polking of Pella; Irene was also a grandmother to 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving Irene or as they would refer to her as “mama” are the special staff at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband Donald “Scotty” O’Herron; husband Edwin “Eddie” Johnson; infant son Ronald Louis O’Herron; daughter-in-law, Linda June O’Herron; her sister, Ida Con ray; and her brother Ernest Zitzlsperger.
