Irene A. Thole, 93, of Aviston, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2024, at The Villas at St. James in Breese.
She was born on September 1, 1931, in Damiansville, the daughter of Bernard H. and Margaret, nee Kalmer, Wiegmann. She married Alvis A.F. Thole on May 8, 1956, in Damiansville and he preceded her in death on September 5, 1964.
Irene is survived by her children: Dennis (Debbie) Thole of St. Peters, MO, Gerald Thole of Highland, Allen (Julie) Thole of Carlyle, Myron (Doris) Thole of Aviston, and Mary (Matt) Rakers of Aviston; a cherished grandmother to 14 grandchildren and a proud great-grandmother to 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; her brother, Bernard “Ben” (Helen) Wiegmann of Ottawa, IL; and sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan Wiegmann of New Baden, Cecilia Wiegmann of Carlyle, and Cecelia & Roger Wellen of Swansea.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her son, Donald Thole; her grandson, Blake Thole; her siblings: Robert Wiegmann, Valeria (Wilbert) Korte, Verena (William) Schrage, Herbert Wiegmann, Edmund (Agnes “Pat”) Wiegmann, her adopted brother, Tony (Mary Louise) Bauman; and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Andy & Bertha Thole, Rose & Chester Litteken, Walter Thole, Theodore “Teets” & Clara Mae Thole, Delores & Joe Litteken, Teresa & Norman Kollmann, and Anthony “Butch” & Lynn Thole.
Irene worked at Memorial Hospital for 30 years with many of those years as the Assistant Director of Housekeeping. She was a proud member of St. Francis Parish in Aviston and actively participated in the community. She was a former member of St. George Parish and Altar Sodality in New Baden, the New Baden Legion Post 321 Auxiliary.
Outside of her professional life, Irene enjoyed various hobbies that brought her joy and allowed her to express her creativity. She had a passion for quilting, stitching, and canning. Additionally, she loved to spend time watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball games, a pastime that warmed her heart and made her smile.
Visitation will take place at Nordike Funeral Home in Aviston on Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and again on Monday, October 28, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 9:45 AM. Following the visitation, a Funeral Mass in her honor will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston at 10:00 AM followed by burial at Resurrection Cemetery in New Baden.
Memorials may be made to St. Francis Parish or the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and will be received at the funeral home.
