March 29, 2024

Irene Roland

Greenfield

Funeral Celebration of Life Services for Irene Roland, 102, formerly of Corning, who passed away Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, in Greenfield were held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, at St. Patrick's Parish Center in Corning. Memorials may be given in Irene's name. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda and Lenox where we "celebrate life."

Lois Irene (McKay) Roland was born March 19, 1917, on the family farm in Mercer Township, Adams County, the daughter of Florance McKay and Mattie (Badgett) Jones McKay. When Irene was 11 years old the family built a new house on the farm which is the home of Kirk and Lynn Brandt today. Irene’s brother Melvin was born in 1920 to complete the family. Irene grew up attending rural schools, graduating from Corning High School with the Class of 1934. Irene lost her mother Mattie in 1936 when she was just 19 years old. On Aug. 23, 1940, Irene was united in marriage to Francis P. Roland at the Church Parish in Exeter, Missouri.  To this loving union two sons were born, Boyd and Charles.

Irene was a homemaker most of her life except for the eleven years she worked for the National Farmer’s Organization until her retirement in 1978. Francis passed away in 1989. After his death, Irene was employed at the funeral home in Corning under both Joe Powers and Alan Ritchie. In 2009 she moved to Ankeny, where she made her home with her son Charles and his wife Coral.

Left to cherish Irene’s memory is her son Charles Roland and his wife Coral; their children; James and his wife Holly, Brad and his wife Katie, Matt and his wife Shelli, Rachel and her husband Calvin, Nicole and her husband Nick of Ankeny; foster son Justin (Holly) Ryan of Florida; daughter-in-law Peggy Miller Roland and her children: Darci Young, Jeff Meyer, Boyd Clinton and Karmen; along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Preceding Irene in death are her parents, Florance and Mattie McKay; her loving husband Francis Roland; a brother Melvin McKay in 2003; and her son Boyd Francis Roland, in December of 2006.