Irene Jones

Irene Marie (Thomsen) Jones was born November 3, 1924 to Carl and Elsie (Brinkman) Thomsen in Lancaster, California. At the age of 4 years Irene moved with her family to Wayne, Nebraska, where she was raised with her sister Esther.

Irene attended Wayne High School, graduating in 1941. After graduation, she took a job as an Administrative Assistant for food services at Wayne State College.

On June 19, 1949 Irene married Joseph B. Jones in Wayne. They moved to Auburn, Nebraska, where they had purchased the Rourke Jewelry store. In May of 1968 they renamed their store Jones Jewelry, and Irene and Joe worked together at the store until closing the doors in 2010.

Irene enjoyed cooking and knitting. She was a member of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1987. Irene belonged to Toastmasters groups in Auburn, Cooper Nuclear Station, and Nebraska City and mentored at the Tecumseh Correction facility. An active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, she served on the church council and with the Dorothea Wood Circle. Through all her activities, Irene was a dedicated wife, sister, aunt, and friend.

Irene passed away at the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the age of 90 years, 4 months, and 29 days. Her parents Carl and Elsie preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband Joe of Auburn; sister Esther Baker of Wayne; nieces Ellen Heinemann and Doris Meyer; 6 great-nieces and –nephews; 10 great-great-nieces and –nephews; other relatives and many friends.