Elizabeth Irene Findley, 92, of Stuart, Iowa passed away peacefully on January 10, 2023, at the Stuart Community Care Center in Stuart. Visitation will be held from1:00 to 2:00 P.M. Saturday January 14, 2023, at the Dexter Presbyterian Church in Dexter. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. at the church. A burial will immediately follow the services in Dexter City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stuart Fire Department. Online condolences may be left atwww.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Artist, teacher, author, and modern pioneer Elizabeth “Irene” Findley, 92, died peacefully at the Stuart Community Care Center on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Irene was born on October 23, 1930, on a farm west of Liberty Center, Iowa to parents James and Artimecia “Marvel” Oxenreider Edgington. The oldest of eight children, Irene started 1st grade at 4 years old. When she was in 3rd grade, the family moved to Lacona, Iowa before settling in Indianola, Iowa when she was 13. Irene trained in stenography and shorthand in high school and typed 120 words per minute - so fast that the latest technology could not keep up.
Irene graduated from Indianola High School in 1947 and worked for three years for New Method Equipment Company in Indianola, Iowa. While roller skating, Irene met Wayne Findley, and 3 months after they started dating, Wayne enlisted in the Army, and while stationed across the country, exchanged letters with Irene every day.
Although her mind was made up not to marry a farmer, Wayne won her over and the couple married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1950, in Atlantic, Iowa. The Findleys began farming in rural ‘Panther Store.’ After one year, Wayne was called back to the Army and they moved to Camp Atterberry in Indiana where they lived for two years, moving back to Dexter, Iowa to continue farming in 1952.
“There is no time like the present to live the life you want,” was the Findley’s stated belief when profiled by The Moines Register, and with that, the couple left the farm with their four young sons in tow. In a pickup truck, trailer, and station wagon, the family headed to Alaska and settled in Soldotna in March of 1961. Irene became a legal secretary and shared entrepreneurial pursuits with Wayne, including developing a mail and milk delivery route, starting a commercial fishing business, and flying airplanes with Irene navigating.
Wayne shares that wherever the family was, Irene never went more than a day without a job. Day one in Alaska, an attorney approached her to become his secretary, and even when Wayne served a 2-week Army commission in Illinois, Irene worked for the civil service.
Longing for life on the farm, the Findleys returned to Dexter in 1968, but never lost their love for Alaska, spending nearly every summer there, fishing commercially and eventually for sport.
In 1976, Irene and Wayne founded Grainco, Inc. in Dexter, with Irene as bookkeeper until her retirement in 1995. The couple wintered in Arizona until 2020, where Irene became a winning poker player and, according to her adversaries, developed a bluff of legend.
Irene became a talented artist, taking lessons with artists Norman Lowell and Boyd Schafer. In addition to her work creating landscapes in charcoal, oil, and acrylic paint, she spent years teaching aspiring artists.
Irene loved organizing; family and friends could always count on her recordkeeping skills to solve problems and end arguments. She wore out several sewing machines as a skilled seamstress, and became an avid “thrifter,” gifting her “finds” to children and grandchildren. She continued her card-playing skills and taught grandchildren to play bridge, pinochle, and pitch.
For decades Irene was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Women in Dexter. She enjoyed participating in the 20th Century Club where members played bridge to raise funds for the Dexter park and library.
Irene was admired by all who knew her. She lived a life so full of adventure that she documented it in her book, Modern Pioneers of the Last Frontier, and self-published in 1997 the stories, anecdotes, photos, and copies of handwritten correspondence journaling the Findley’s early years as homesteaders on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.
Wayne and Irene enjoyed each other and found fun in all they did – from piloting airplanes, dancing lessons, and golf, to roller-skating and technology. Their travel adventures far exceeded the ways to recount them all, and her memory will continue to inspire every one of us.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, James and Artimecia “Marvel” Edgington, and brothers Blaine, Doyle, James, and Dennis Edgington.
Left to celebrate her legacy of strength, joy, kindness, and love are Irene’s husband of 73 years, Wayne; sons Doug (Cynthia), Keith (Susan), Brent (Teri), and Kevin (Jane); brothers Norman and Mahlon (Sue) Edgington; sister Carol Ann (Gail) Endres; and grandchildren: Brenna (Bob) Bird, Sara Findley, Troy (Nicole) Findley, Brooke Findley (Juan Jimenez), Rachael (Andy) Naberhaus, Holly (Justin) Appenzeller, Kyle (Cassie) Findley, Ryan Findley, Dara Findley and Kaila Findley; and great grandchildren Parker, Kevie, Emmett, Renate, Kooper, Finn, Hazel, Brighton, Becket, Jack, Hallie, Hunter, Wyatt, Lana, and Amelia.
To send flowers in memory of Irene Findley, visit the Tribute Store.
14
Jan
823 State Street
Dexter, IA 50070
14
Jan
823 State Street
Dexter, IA 50070
A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow the burial at the church and everyone is cordially invited to join the family.
Dexter
Dexter, IA 50250
Johnson Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Stuart Chapel • 123 Northeast Secon Street, Stuart, IA 50250 • Phone: (515) 523-1200
Dexter Chapel • 814 Wash Ave. Box 57, Dexter, IA 50070 • Phone: (515) 789-4621
Earlham Chapel • 140 NW 2nd Street, Earlham, IA 50072 • Phone: (515) 758-2500
Redfield Chapel • 902 1st Street Box 404, Redfield, IA • Phone (515) 789-4621
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