Obituary for Irene K. Davis

1920 - 2013

Irene K. Davis, formerly of Milton-Freewater, passed away on Feb. 13, 2013, at Regency at the Park in College Place at the age of 93 years. At her request, no public services will be held. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in memory of Irene Davis to the Walla Walla Community Hospice or the Boys and Girls Aid Society in care of the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main, Milton-Freewater, OR 97862.

Irene Katherine Davis was born on Jan. 23, 1920, the daughter of Silas and Emma Mary (Wicks) Gaines in Milton. Irene was raised and educated in the rural eastside area of Milton-Freewater. Irene worked in the local fruit harvest and canneries. She married Rudd Davis on Aug. 26, 1940, in Lewiston, Idaho. After the birth of their daughter, she became a homemaker and traveled with her husband to several communities in the Northwest. The family put down permanent roots in Milton-Freewater in 1964. Irene began working at St. Mary’s Hospital in 1967 as a housekeeper supervisor. She retired after 15 years of service in 1982.
Irene was always remembered for wearing a cheerful smile. She was a life member of the First Christian Church in Milton-Freewater. Irene enjoyed a wide range of crafts including, knitting, crocheting, porcelain doll making, ceramics and was an excellent seamstress. She also enjoyed dogs, cats, cooking, fishing, deer hunting, gardening and bowling, where she was a league member for many years.

Survivors include her daughter, Vonda Davis Weiler; sister, Pauline Millat, both of Milton-Freewater; grandchildren, Alex and Natalie Weiler; numerous nieces and nephews. Her parents; husband; siblings, Robert Gaines, Delbert Gaines, Paul Gaines, Art Gaines, Melvin Gaines, Kenneth Gaines, Erma Redfern, Velma Roberts and Phyllis Scudder, all preceded her in death.