Irene Marks
Irene Marks
Irene Marks
September 10, 1925 – March 4, 2014
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 88
Irene Marks, 88, of Oskaloosa, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at her home in Oskaloosa surrounded by her family.
Irene was born September 10, 1925, in Oskaloosa, IA, the daughter of Arthur and Carrie Ann Page Romoser.
On October 7, 1948, she was united in marriage to Jack Davis Marks in Muscatine, IA. Jack’s work took them all over the world, and Irene was always a pillar of trust among the other Americans stationed with them. She also worked at marketing mobile homes and managing mobile home parks. Jack and Irene were forced to flee Iran during the coup. While fleeing, Jack died on January 25, 1979 in Esfahan, Iran. Following Jack’s death, Irene returned to Oskaloosa to care for her ailing sister. She later went to work as a store manager for Graham’s Department Store in Oskaloosa and later in Algona, IA. She then took a management position with Montgomery Ward’s in Minneapolis, MN. She also managed Montgomery Ward’s stores in South Dakota and Michigan. For the past 28 years, Irene has been the manager at Lamson Mobile Home Park in Oskaloosa. She worked in a managerial capacity up until the time of her death.
Irene was a 50 plus year member and Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star 146, and a member of the White Shrine. She was also an active member of the St. James Episcopal Church, American Legion Auxiliary and the Elks Lodge. She had been active and is a past president of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She was also voted Business Woman of the Year by that organization. Irene worked her entire life in management and was always willing to help any way she could.
Her family includes her daughter and husband, Janice I. and David M. Dvorak of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren: Whitney J. (& Kasey C.) Black and Donnie L. (& Charlee A. Miller) Green; three great grandchildren: Zachary J. Black, Christopher D. Green, and Makayla A. Green; two nephews: Raymond M. (& Phyllis) Welshons and Richard L. (& Mary) Welshons.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: Edna (& Edward) Liter and Viola (& Raymond) Welshons; and two brothers: William (& Valerie) Romoser and Raymond (& Delores) Romoser.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 7, 2014, at 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Thursday morning after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Thursday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Stephen’s Memorial Animal Shelter.
