Irene Elaine Crampton

Irene Elaine Crampton was born at home in Lake View, Iowa, February 19, 1930, the daughter of Raymond and Alice Frisbie Belt. She was raised on the Frisbie family farm at Lake View where she received her education, graduating as Valedictorian from Lake View High School with the class of 1947. During her formative years in Lake View she was a member of Rainbow Girls, Queen of the Rainbow Float and was chosen to attend the first “Girls State” of Iowa. Following high school she furthered her education at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake while working at the Security Trust and Savings Bank.On June 6, 1948, Irene was united in marriage with Robert Gail Crampton at the United Methodist Church in Lake View. Their union was blessed with two sons, Randy and Rick. They made their home in Storm Lake for four years where Irene continued working at the bank. In 1952, Bob and Irene began farming north of Lake View renting land from Hank and Hokie Peters. In 1956, they purchased their current farm north of Deloit, Iowa, where in addition to being a busy farmwife and mother, Irene was employed in the Montgomery Wards Catalog Department for nine years until it closed.Irene was an active member of her church and community throughout her life. While living on the farm at Lake View she joined in the Eastern Star in 1952 and was an over 25 year member of that group, and was a 4-H Leader for several years. She was an avid member of “The Rest Club” participating in their every other Wednesday meetings her entire life, of which her grandmother was a founding member of the over 100 year old club, a member of the Merry Meeters Club in Storm Lake and the Neighborhood Club. She enjoyed attending many events of the West Iowa Shrine Club, was a member of the Motor Across Iowa (in a 1952 Chevrolet truck), was honored at the 50th Anniversary of Girls State in Ames and had the honor and privilege of attending the Inaugural Ball for President Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C. Irene was a life-time member of the Methodist Church, first in Lake View, then at Deloit, where she taught Sunday school for many years and currently was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Denison.She loved to go dancing and loved to cook and bake. When asked for a recipe or how to cook something she would just reply, “oh, a dash of this and a pinch of that”, without ever giving a straight answer, especially when asked about her scalloped corn. Her greatest enjoyment in life was time spent with her family and friends.Irene died early Friday morning, May 20, 2016, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 86 years, 3 months and 1 day.Including her parents, Raymond and Alice Belt, Irene was also preceded in death by one sister, Ruth Meyer and two brothers: Raymond and Donald Belt.Those remaining to cherish her memory include her husband of 67 years Robert Crampton of Kiron, Iowa; 2 sons: Dr. Randy (Cheryl) Crampton of Storm Lake, Iowa and Rick (Carol) Crampton of Kiron, Iowa; 7 grandchildren: Ben Crampton of Kiron, Iowa, Ryan Crampton of Chicago, Illinois, Taylor Crampton of Kiron, Iowa, Dennis (Sarah) Crampton of Dubuque, Iowa, Carrie (Jay) Swinney-Riesberg of Roselle, Iowa, Katie (Scott) Meyer of Alta, Iowa, and John (Dora) Crampton of Storm Lake, Iowa; 9 great grandchildren: Megan, Collin, Hannah, Kiley, Brendan, Emily, Cailey, Liam and Carmen; 2 step great grandchildren: Levi and Justin; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa with Rev. Jan Burnett officiating. Congregational hymns were “He Lives” and “How Great Thou Art” with Nancy Miles serving as organist. Honorary Pallbearers were Jean Barker, Arlene Fink, Darlene Boyens, Wanita Belt Friedrichsen and Sue Boettger. Pallbearers were Ben Crampton, Ryan Crampton, Taylor Crampton, Dennis Meyer, Denis Crampton, and John Crampton. Following the services everyone was invited to remain at the church for fellowship and a luncheon provided by the First United Methodist Women. Private family interment was held after the luncheon at Ferguson Cemetery, Lake View, Iowa. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements where a visitation was held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2016, with an Eastern Star Service by Signet Chapter No. 1, Order of Eastern Star, Carroll, Iowa, held at 5:00 p.m.