Irene Anna Perkins departed for her heavenly journey March 31, 2020, after a courageous battle against lung cancer (non-smoker). Due to the coronavirus, a private burial will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Union City with Rev. Lance Warren officiating. Services are under the guidance of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Irene was born on the Union City family farm to Wilhelm (William) Lagaly and Margaret (Menz) Lagaly on April 17, 1933. After graduating from Union City High School, she married her high school sweetheart, L. Van Perkins on Feb. 21, 1952. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary with family last month. 

The couple began their new life working at Peters Dairy in Yukon, then moved to Del City, Shawnee and Clinton with other companies before they settled in El Reno, where they owned and operated Appliances, Etc. for 43 years – working together with their son, Bob. In addition to keeping local homemakers’ gadgets running smoothly, Irene was a very enthusiastic member of Extension Homemakers Club and various community events. 

The couple traveled extensively with Buffalo Ramblers RV and also enjoyed square dancing, flying and riding their motorcycle. There are so many stories of Irene’s love of sewing, crafting, reading/sharing books, board games, card games and more games, gardening and deciding whether or not her favorite recipes were family-worthy or “just for company.”

She always celebrated life’s adventures with family and friends and remained sharp as a tack, sometimes too sharp with her unfiltered, hearing-impaired commentary that brought us peals of laughter. She loved making faces at the little ones and would often get in trouble for instigating squeals of delight during church.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters and Queen Pooh Bah of the Red Hat Divas. 

Irene often said, “Of all the places we’ve lived at and traveled to, El Reno, Oklahoma, is my very favorite. I’ve loved my beautiful gardens, growing vegetables and flowering plants, and heirloom roses from the Lagaly farm. And when we had the miniature horses, watching the little horses running around in the pasture.” 

Even when she was ill, she would make calls to check on others and share some uplifting remarks. 

Irene’s smile and crazy humor will be missed by her husband, Van, and loving children, Paula Porter, Mustang; Bob (Brenda) Perkins, El Reno; and Tim (Jamie) Perkins, El Reno; eight grandchildren (and spouses), Robert (Catherine) Printup, Jon (Tiffany) Printup and Geoffrey Printup, Mindy (Chris) Allen, Kyra (Jay) Mauldin and Jessica (Neal) Johnson, Courtney Burns and Mark Burns; 18 great-grandchildren, Robert IV, Ramsey, Koby, Jaden, Jaxon and Jace Printup, Destini Tidrick (Max), Jay Regan and Rian Gilliland, Carter, Harper, Grant and Lincoln Mauldin, Aspen, Dixie and Claire Burns, Crew and Maddy Allen; great-great-grandson, Easton, and great-great-granddaughter, Emersyn Tidrick; siblings, George Lagaly, Gertrude Meiwes, Joe and Margaret Lagaly, Lawrence and Betty Lagaly and Tom and Mary Amato; sisters-in-law, Dora Lagaly, Sharel Smith and their families; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends. 

There will be a joyful family reunion in heaven with her parents; brothers, John and Willie Lagaly; sister, Barbara Berntsen; and stillborn angel son.

With our hope in Christ alone, we look forward to seeing your sweet smile again. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Catholic Charities, Russell-Murray Hospice or simply perform a kind deed for someone in need.