Irene Theresa Dickinson

Irene Theresa Dickinson

Birmingham

Irene Theresa Dickinson, 102, passed away at Addington Place in Fairfield, Iowa, surrounded by family on July 17, 2024. She was born to John Vincent Adam and Theresa Greiner Adam on September 7, 1921 in the Clear Creek Community, Harper, IA.

Irene graduated from Richland High School on May 18, 1939. She attended Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls, where she obtained her teaching certification. She taught for three years in a one-room school, receiving a salary of $65 per month. In addition to teaching students in grades one through eight, other responsibilities included carrying water, keeping the heating stove running, and cleaning the classroom.

She married Charles Dickinson on April 18, 1942, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Clear Creek. She assisted in their farm’s row cropping harvest when Charles entered the U.S. Navy in World War II.

Irene enjoyed working on the family farm near Birmingham, Iowa, always raising a large garden. She loved cooking, and her made-from-scratch noodles and angel food cakes were always enjoyed by family and friends.

A wonderful volunteer, Irene taught adult GED classes, served on the Van Buren School Board, Farmers Home Administration Board, was a 4-H leader for many years, a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society.

Her presence will be deeply missed by her family, but they take comfort in knowing where she has gone and the legacy she left behind.

Irene is survived by seven children: Sandra McLain (Jerry), Milton, Sue Lowe (Bill), Birmingham, Mike Dickinson (Connie), Ankeny, Patricia Dickinson (Craig Cole), Lenexa, Kansas, Ed Dickinson (Teri) Douds, Leo Dickinson (Iya), Jacksonville, Florida, and Annette Bravard (Bryan), West Des Moines; Grandchildren: Carrie Spoelstra, Todd Dickinson, Terry McLain, Tonya VanLaningham, Scott Lowe, Billie Farrow, Tony Dickinson, Kristi Dickinson, Hadley Price, Lauren Ernst, Fr. Dane Dickinson, Seth Dickinson, Alison Dickinson, Kaitlyn Hoffecker, Connor Bravard, Madison Stacy, and Bailey Bravard. She is also survived by 23 great-grandchildren, and her sister, Elizabeth Vogel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, son, Richard, daughter, Carol, two daughters-in-law, Mary Dickinson and Teresa Dickinson, parents, John and Theresa Adam, two brothers, Leo Adam and Elmer Adam, and one sister, Bernice Vogel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield, with Concelebrants: Rev. Dane Dickinson, Rev. Nick Adam, Rev. Charles Adam, and Rev. Richard Adam. Interment will follow at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery near Keota, IA. Visitation with family present will be Monday evening 5 to 7 P.M. also at the church. Memorials to St. Mary Catholic Church may be left at the church, or mailed to Sue Lowe, 10700 Lace Road, Birmingham, IA 52535.