Irene Anderson was 86 years old when she passed away on March 27, 2013. 

Irene has been part of my family since the early 60's and was always referred to as Aunt Irene.  

Irene gave me my first vehicle, a 1966 Chevy truck that she purchased new in the year of my birth and promised to me when I turned 18.  

We've been close for many years and I've vsisited and corresponded with her by mail and phone often. I spent time with her in Lake Havasu recently when I was on an Arizona motorcycle ride. We spent the better part of Sunday evening and Monday morning just talking about life and our mutual friends. 

I added a photo I snapped of us on March 25th before I left for San Diego.  

I wanted to put something together as an online memorial for Irene.  A place that those who knew and loved her could write down some thoughts for others to see.

I have a couple of quick stories to relate, and a nice write-up from my mom, Kathy Garzon, who has been a friend of Irene's for a long, long time.     

Here's something from my mom:  

Irene's family was from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and she was raised mainly by her Aunt Mabel. Irene's mom, Evelyn, was unmarried and later married Fred; she never met he biological father.  

Irene had a favorite cousin, Laverne, who she called "chicken."  I met Chicken when I was in Minnesota visiting Irene's family. Chicken was a kick in the pants, so funny.  

Irene was hit by a car when she was 9; her leg was severely broken in so many places that the doctors were going to amputate it. The doctors put several  pins in the leg and through the knee to hold the leg together. She had huge, deep scars in the one leg from the pins.  

Irene worked for MMM and left there in 1955 to attend the New Tribes Bible Institute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I was in the girl's dorm with her and Edith Crane, June Brown, Virginia Anderson and Rona Milmore.  

Irene spoke some Norwegian and taught me the Norwegian National Anthem in its native language. I still can sing it.  

She was a great Christian lady and I will miss her very much.