Irene Marie Bryan

Irene Marie Bryan was born in Sully County, South Dakota, January 7, 1919, the daughter of Henry and Anna Link Zoller. She was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in Harrold, South Dakota, February 9, 1919, and confirmed in her Christian Faith there June 4, 1933. She was raised in Harrold where she graduated from high school with the class of 1936. Following high school she was employed by Dave Willer at the drug store in Harrold, moving to Denison in 1939 to continue working for Mr. Willer at Denison Drug.On March 1, 1948, the same day they established Bryan Electric, Irene was united in marriage with E.C. “Sam” Bryan at Zion Lutheran Church by the Rev. Carl Schmidt. Their union was blessed with one son Jerry. They made their home in Denison where Irene was the bookkeeper for their business. In 1956, in addition to their electric business, Sam and Irene opened the Scotch Wash Laundry.Sam died November 6, 1984, and Irene continued to make her home in Denison where she continued to own and oversee the operations of their businesses with the assistance of their son Jerry.In her leisure time, Irene enjoyed quilting, sports, crafts of all kinds, cooking and homemaking and the Friday night card club.Irene was a long time faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Zion Dorcas Society since the early 1950’s, holding all of their offices and some twice, Sunday School Teacher for nearly 15 years and a member of the Fellowship Club. Other memberships Irene enjoyed through the years include Crawford County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Tele-care and Wa-Tan-Ye Club. She and Sam were long time Denison community supporters and she was proud to have owned Bryan Electric for 69 years, one of Denison’s oldest businesses.In May of 2010, Irene moved to Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison where her family annually hosted a sweet corn supper for residents and staff.Irene died Wednesday afternoon, January 18, 2017, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison having been blessed with 98 years and 11 days.Those preceding her in death include her parents, Henry and Anna Zoller, her husband, Sam and her only brother, Alvin Zoller.Those remaining to cherish her memory include her son Jerry (Sandy) Bryan of Denison, Iowa; granddaughters: Amanda Bryan and special friend Jake Clark of Denison, Iowa and Sherri (Gary) Oliver of Warrenton, Missouri; step-granddaughter Tammy (Nathan) Dean of Castana, Iowa; great grandchildren: Tyler Oliver of Warrenton, Missouri and Mariah Short of Hawaii; nephew Greg Zoller of Arlington, Tennessee; near and dear friends: JoAnne Jenkins and Joleen Ricketts; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa with Rev. Joshua Keinath and Rev. Kurt R. Kaiser officiating. Congregational hymns were “I’m But A Stranger Here”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Old Rugged Cross”, and “Asleep In Jesus” with Karen Kahl serving as organist. Pallbearers were Larry Surprenant, Mark Jensen, Carl Bohm, Kenard Swift, Tedd Bliesman, and Mark Gray. Interment was at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens. Following the graveside rites and burial the family invited everyone to join them at Cronk’s Café for fellowship and a luncheon. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , in Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements where a visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.