Irene Marie Hamilton

Irene Marie Hamilton died Thursday, February 23, 2012. She was born in Sutton, Nebraska, December 3, 1918, to John and Marie Penner Wall. A graduate of McPherson High School, she earned a teaching certificate from Tabor College, Hillsboro. A resident of Canton, Kansas, since 1941, she married Glenn C. Hamilton on June 23, 1940. They farmed south of Canton. He passed away November 12, 2001. Irene was a homemaker and always interested in music, education, and the daily news. She was a retired teacher and an active member of the Canton Christian Church, teaching Sunday School classes for children and adults and serving as Vice President of the Women’s Group and secretary for the Church Board. Irene enjoyed playing the piano for Sunday School and other church activities. She belonged to several clubs - Stitch and Chatter, Community Welfare, and the Canton Literary Study Club. She annually grew a large garden and enjoyed canning vegetables. She dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was happy to assist her grandchildren with their college expenses, as education was very important to her. Irene’s family will long remember her love of baking cookies and pies. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Sam and Melvin J. Wall, two stepmothers, Eva Klassen Wall and Marie Wedel Wall, and a stepsister Edith Unruh. She is survived by her children, Gary, Wichita; Randy and wife Roberta, Canton; and Janet and her husband Chris Newton, Hutchinson. Grandchildren: Amy Ewings, Lori Zienkewicz, Jessica Spencer, Austin and Kevin Newton, Sabrina Hamilton and Olivia Hamilton. Great-grandchildren: Jordan, Emma, Katherine, and Caroline Ewings and Lilly, Claire, and Maggie Zienkewicz. The family will be present for visitation at Olson’s Mortuary, Canton, from 6-8 pm, Saturday, the 25th. Funeral services will be held at the Canton Christian Church, 2pm Sunday, February 26th. Burial will be in the Canton Township Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be given in her name to the Canton Christian Church and appreciates the many acts of kindness shown to Irene by the Canton community during the last several years of her life.

Irene Marie Hamilton

December 3, 1918 - February 23, 2012