OLEA HILBERS, Irene

The Prescott Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Sunday, June 11, 2006 Irene Contreras Olea Hilbers, long-time Yavapai County Matriarch of the Contreras family, passed away June 2, 2006. This past weekend, her 75th class reunion was held with multiple other classes, which she was unable to make. Irene was born July 9, 1911, to Edward and Innocente Contreras, on their family homestead (which was known and still is today as the Contreras Ranch), near Skull Valley. She was the eldest of nine children, outliving them all. Irene recalled memories of going to school in Skull Valley in a horse and buggy. Her father bought a home in Prescott so that she, her brothers and sisters could attend St. Joseph's Academy. Irene graduated from there in 1931 and went on to Prescott Business School. She married her first husband, Frank H. Olea and had two children, Betty Olea and Frank Olea Jr. Irene started Prescott's first Mexican restaurant on Miller Valley Road, The Tamale Inn, which was a restaurant in front and their home in back. She and Frank worked as cooks for several ranches, which are now housing developments. During WWII, Irene and Frank lived out on Iron Springs Road next to Jack Fletcher's Veterinary Business. She cooked great Mexican food, which people would come from town to pick up, despite gas rationing. She was a great cook to the end. They later went into the feed business called Northern Arizona Hay & Feed Supply. In the hay and feed business, Irene learned to drive 16 wheeler trucks, and at that time she partnered with her husband to deliver hay and grain all over northern Arizona. Later on, Irene had a truck stop restaurant on East Sheldon for several years. She retired from Thriftee Wholesale when they went out of business. To bring home the bacon, she worked for Prescott Newspapers Inc., Yavapai Forest Services and several other jobs. Irene was very active in the Moose Lodge and enjoyed attending their functions in her later years. She went to Moose Heart as a regent, which highlighted her life and was very proud. She and Taylor Hick Sr. won an Old Ironside award in year 1930. She was inducted to the Rose Garden in 2005, which was another proud moment for her, with her friend Esther Henderson. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Innocente Contreras; her son, Frank Halleck Olea Jr.; brothers, Ed (Clara), Manuel (Thelma), Ray (Ruth), and Richard (Margaret) Contreras; sisters, Marcella (Bruce) Nevitt, Catherine Vanbrunt (Clyde), Angina McNeil (Richard); daughter-in-law, Joan Olea; eight grandchildren, many & nieces and nephews too numerous to name and so many, many life long friends and neighbors who cared for her. She will be forever missed. She is survived by daughter, Betty Olea Gonzalez; grandson, Steve; granddaughter, Judy Olea. Preliminary plans are to hold a Mass at Sacred Heart Church and a luncheon as previously planned at Pete's Restaurant, 1355 Iron Springs Road, Prescott. The same day the family was planning to celebrate her 95th birthday July 8, 2006. Services are pending by Hampton Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors. Transcriber's note: Transcribed as printed but there are possibly some errors in the listing of the survivors and those who passed on before her.