Irene Gwinner of Drumheller, Alberta passed away suddenly on July 27, 2009 at the age of 73 years. Irene was born on July 13, 1936 at Trochu, Alberta to Joseph and Katherine Issler. She was raised on a farm west of Trochu along with her brother Herman and two sisters Anne and Elsie. She attended Fairmount School and later graduated from Trochu Valley High as class valedictorian in 1953. At the age of 17, she worked in Calgary at the Royal Bank. On April 12th, 1955 she married Harry Arthur Gwinner at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Torrington. Harry and Irene moved back to Trochu and settled on the farm and Irene began work at the bank of Montreal. In October of 1957, their daughter, Cindy, was born and followed by their second daughter Valerie in March of 1959. In May of 1960 their son Randy was born. The family then moved to Rumsey where Harry became the fuel agent for the new UFA bulk station. Later that year in October, their youngest daughter Dorraine, was born and the family remained in the Rumsey area until 1980. During those 18 years in Rumsey, Irene was an active member of the community and also worked for Avon. Irene moved to Drumheller in the spring of 1980 and a few years later completed the secretarial arts program at the Big Country Educational Consortium. She resided in Drumheller and worked at various businesses until her passing. Irene loved playing and teaching music and also was a dedicated organist for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Handhills, the Anglican Church in Drumheller and was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Drumheller. Over the years she also enjoyed curling, crocheting, and attending various sports activities of her children and grandchildren. Irene truly loved her family. She was outgoing, compassionate and a very kind woman who always put others before herself. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her. Irene is survived by her daughter Cindy Gwinner (Marcel), daughter Valerie Weisenburger, husband Dwayne and daughter Danielle, son Randy Gwinner and wife Elin, children Brandin and Shayne, and daughter Dorraine Montgomery, husband Gerald, children Jennifer and Brett. She is also survived by her sister Anne Bartz of Lethbridge, Alberta and numerous nieces and nephews. Irene was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Katherine Issler, brothers Herman Issler, and sister Elsie Tetz. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, at Grace Lutheran Church with Reverend Curtis Boehm and Reverend Lloyd Huber. Interment followed at the Drumheller Municipal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the
Heart and Stroke Foundation.
