Obituary of Irene Mary Nelson

View Video Tribute Irene Melissa Mary Harold, the fourth child and first daughter, was born to Edward and Elizabeth Harold in a sod house on the family homestead north of Weskan, Kansas on August 12, 1910. She had three older brothers, Art, Ralph and Clarence, to welcome her. Irene once commented, “They sure spoiled me; sometimes carried me to school on their shoulders and Clarence was especially willing to do my homework for meâ€?. Later, six other siblings were added to the family, Russell, Raymond, Edith, Ruth, Warren and Pauline. Irene had a wonderful childhood in Western Kansas with extremely loving parents and siblings. The Harolds were indeed an extremely close-knit family and this shaped her life. Irene received her early grade school education at the Lone Star School, located south and east of her family’s homestead. The children traveled to school by horseback. She went on to attend eighth grade and high school in Weskan. Irene met a neighbor-boy Jimmy Paul at a young age. His parents were also homesteaders just four miles south of the Harolds. They were united in marriage on September 27, 1927 at the home of her favorite Aunt Lula in Sharon Springs, KS. It was there in Sharon Springs that the couple started their married life together, where Jimmy barbered and Irene mastered the art of homemaking. Jimmy and Irene were baptized into the Christian faith early in their marriage at Sharon Springs. Four children (over a 22-year span) were born to the couple – Edward, Charles, Dennis and Linda. In 1946 Jimmy and Irene bought the filling station, cabin camp and café in Weskan and named it Paul’s Haven. Everyone was busy during those years - Jimmy barbered, Ed fixed tires, Chuck helped in the filling station (when he wasn’t down the street playing with the Swisher kids), and Den mostly fended for himself and tried to keep up with Chuck and the older kids. Irene and her Aunt Ruth did the cooking in the café. Irene’s Dad Edward made a weekly trip in to town for one of (as he called her) “Sally Ann’sâ€? famous hamburgers. In 1949 the family sold Paul’s Haven and started a new business less than a block away – a barber shop, soda fountain and bowling alley. The bowling alley was later replaced with pool and snooker tables. They named this business Paul’s Hall. It was a popular place for folks to come from miles around to get a hair cut, play a game of pool and have an ice cream soda as well. Linda, the only girl, was born in 1952 and could often be found riding her tricycle around the pool tables and being read to by her father. In June of 1958 Jimmy suffered a heart attack and died suddenly. Irene kept the business open and one evening after a hard day laying brick for the new Weskan School, Harry Nelson, a handsome bricklayer from Salina, KS came in for an ice cream sundae. Two years later on February 14, 1960, Harry and Irene were married. Harry’s son Harrison soon joined the family. He was 15 and a freshman in high school and came only for a summer visit but never returned to New York as he had once again found a mother. Irene’s children knew that their friends were always welcome in her home and many a young person thought of Irene as a second mom. Her home was her castle and she was most definitely a homemaker extraordinaire. Her children count themselves fortunate to have always come home from school to a Mom who was there, anxious to hear about their day and the smell of something wonderful simmering on the stove. She was a talented seamstress who had the unusual knack for being able to design as well as make stylish clothing. Irene had the ability to make her children feel like they were the most important persons in the world. They could always rely on her for support, understanding and encouragement. She rejoiced in their triumphs and sympathized in their defeats. Upon their retirement in 1976, Harry and Irene decided to move to Cheyenne Wells and purchased a home in the north part of town. They had many enjoyable years living in Cheyenne Wells. In 1985, Harry passed away and Irene was once again a widow. Early in 2004, it became necessary for Irene to leave her home and reside in Cheyenne Manor. Despite her failing eye sight and memory, Irene quietly and positively accepted this change in her life. It didn’t take long for the staff at Cheyenne Manor to fall in love with this sweet little lady. Throughout her life, Irene enjoyed many things, but none more so than her family. Her children and grandchildren were a source of great joy to her. She trusted in her Lord and Savior and put her faith in Him. She will always be remembered as a Mother who loved, protected and watched over her children and grandchildren. They all realize just how extremely blessed they have been to have had such an extraordinary mother and grandmother. She, her sisters, and their mother before them serve as a loving memory of their heritage – a long line of wonderful, hardworking women who dedicated their lives to home and family. Irene was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Elizabeth Harold; brothers Arthur, Ralph, Clarence, Russell, Raymond and Warren Harold; husband James Paul; second husband Harry Nelson and son James Edward Paul. She is survived by sisters Edith Ellison of Denver, Ruth Hull and husband Wendell of Cheyenne Wells, Pauline Nusser of Weskan, KS.; Daughter-in-law Jean Paul of Westminster, CO., Sons Chuck and wife Carolyn Paul of Goodland, KS.; Dennis Paul of Garfield, KS. ; Harrison Nelson and wife Maryanne of Cheyenne Wells and daughter Linda and husband Greg Roth of Cheyenne Wells. She had 13 grand children and 27 great grandchildren. A great, great grandchild is expected in December of this year. She died peacefully, in her sleep on April 28, 2009 at the Cheyenne Manor in Cheyenne Wells, CO. Memorial services for Irene were held on Friday, May 1, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church with Pastor Mike Lewis officiating. Memorials may be made in Irene’s name to the Cheyenne Manor or to the First Christian Church in Cheyenne Wells and may be left at or sent to the Eastern Colorado Bank in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado.