Lucy "Irene" Carey's Obituary
Lucy 'Irene' Carey, age 101, of Centerville, Iowa, died Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville, Iowa. She was born the daughter of Alva and Viola (Estabrook) Skinner on August 14, 1902 in Johnstown, Nebraska. She received her education in Gordon Community Schools in Gordon, Nebraska.She taught school in the sand hills of Northwest Nebraska, on August 10, 1922, Irene was united in marriage to Shirley Carey in North Platte, Nebraska.and after the birth of her children, she along with her husband, spent few years ranching. The family moved to Yachats, Oregon where they began the Carey's General Store. After her husband began working in the Construction business, Irene concentrated all her time and energy on homemaking and mothering. When they retired, they spent their summers managing a church camp near Delta, Colorado before moving to Lemoyne, Nebraska, doing odd jobs for friends and acquaintances along with managing and maintaining a mobile home park. After the death of her husband, Irene continued to manage the trailer park until moving in 1989 to Centerville, Iowa to live with her daughter , Sharon Heien and husband Rev. Carl Heien. She was a good friend and listener, always loved by people of any age and walk of life. She was a whole hearted servant of those around her who 'just might' be in need. She was quiet and gentle and full of inner strength. While in Centerville, she enjoyed attending Sunday school, worship services and church fellowships. Loved the prayer chain, baking pies, cakes and other dishes for special occasions at the church such as Christmas dinners. While at home, she was able to help cook and do light housekeeping, feed the pets, take care of the plants and answer the phone while Sharon was teaching. She read for spiritual growth as much as her eye sight permitted and often shared some of her feelings with her family for resources in programs and sermon preparations. She had a ministry of Prayer that was realized by many of her family and friends. She was a member of Drake Avenue Christian Church in Centerville.She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Shirley Carey on July 25, 1980; brothers, Harve and Fred Skinner; sister, Lillian Samuelson.Irene is survived by: son, D. Duane Carey and his wife, Barbara of Moab; daughters, Betty Carey and Sharon Heien and her husband, Rev. Carl Heien all of Centerville, Iowa; 8 grandchildren, SueAnn Burrell, Gerald D. Carey and his wife, Kari, Terry Edwards and her husband, Alan, Diane Quinn and her husband, David, Stacey Sheets and her husband, Tim, Rev. Carl Heien, Jr. and his wife, Renee, Mark A. Heien and his wife, Tana, and Sandy Gonzales; 20 great grandchildren and 19 great great grandchildren; brother, Joe Skinner of Lemoyne, Nebraska.Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 1, 2004 at 10 am at the Drake Avenue Christian Church in Centerville, Iowa with Rev's Carl Heien Sr, Carl Heien, Jr. and Mark Heien officiating. Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at 10 am at the Ogallala Cemetery in Ogallala, Nebraska.Visitation will be held with the family on Saturday, February 28, 2004 from 6 till 8 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville and on Sunday, February 29, 2004 from 1 pm till 8 pm at the funeral home however the family will not be present on Sunday. Memorials can be made to the Drake Avenue Christian Church and can be left at or mailed to the To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lucy "Irene" Carey please visit our Sympathy Store.
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