Irene Viola Rees
Marriages
John May
Howard F. Rees - October 24, 1942
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 8A Death Notice - December 5, 2012
Irene Viola Rees, 93, Grand Junction, died Dec. 2, 2012, at La
Villa Grande Nursing Home.
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at Martin Mortuary.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Martin Mortuary.
Ms. Rees was a homemaker, mental health technician and a 4-H
youth leader.
Survivors include one son, Dale A. of Palisade; nine grandchildren;
and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative
Care of Western Colorado, 2754 Compass Drive, Suite 377, Grand
Junction 81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6B - December 7, 2012
I r e n e V i o l a ( G r a n a t ) R e e s
slipped these bonds of earth on
Sunday, December 2, 2012, after
a lengthy history of Alzheimer's
disease. Her spirit for life lives on
in those whose life she touched in
so many ways.
She was born in Eagle Bend,
MN, February 15, 1919, and at
the age of two, the family moved
to Colorado settling in Palisade. Her parents, Nels and Lera Granat,
raised a family of five children there. Later, after graduating from
Palisade High School, she married John May. They had a son, Fred.
They later divorced. On October 24, 1942, she and Howard F. Rees
were married. With this union, a set of twin boys was born, Dean
and Dale, on July 30, 1944.
This "city gal" soon learned the ways of a farmer's wife, while
husband, Howard, continued a career on the D&RGW railroad.
Irene was involved in many community activities, such as Central
High Mothers' Club, selling Ute Water taps door to door in their
early history, and later became a renowned artist of landscapes in
oil. She and Howard were also 4-H leaders in the Pear Park area for
many years. Later on she was employed by the State of Colorado at
the Regional Center. AARP played a large role after retirement
where she served as its local chapter President for several years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Clyde, Lyndon
and Carl, as well as a sister, Eva. More recently by husband,
Howard, and sons, Fred May and Dean Rees. She is survived by
son, Dale (Laura) of Palisade; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren,
and two great-great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be from 12 - 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 8, at
Martin Mortuary, followed by services. Interment will be at Memorial
Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative
Care of Western Colorado.
