POWERS MATTHEW, Irene M.

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2014 - Irene M. Powers Matthew, 96, passed away Nov. 6, 2014 in Lake Havasu City. Irene was born in Downs, Kan. to Clara and Almer Porter Nov. 20, 1917. She married William Powers July 30, 1942. They were married 49 years and had four children. Bill passed away in 1991. At 16, she graduated from Simla High School in Colorado, and began working for the Farm Security Administration. Later she became the first female bank vice president in Colorado. Irene was a past president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, was active in the Lutheran church wherever she lived, and volunteered for Laborers for Christ. She moved to Lake Havasu in 1980, and fell in love with the city. In the spirit of giving back, Irene volunteered at the Lake Havasu Regional Hospital, Lake Havasu Senior Center, the Lighthouse Club and Mount Olive Lutheran Church. She enjoyed traveling, cooking, fishing, water aerobics, was an avid Democrat and a supporter of all the arts programs. On Feb. 3, 2007, she married Kenneth A. Matthew. She and Ken were constant companions and he provided her great joy in her later years. Irene is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, a sister, her first husband, Bill, two grandsons and one great-grandson. She is survived by her husband, Ken; children, Rosemary/Dave Tunnell, Gary/Sharon Powers, Suzanne/Rick Twinchek and Marilyn/Ryan Paradis; ten grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and two sisters. A celebration of life will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2170 Havasupai Blvd. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mount Olive Lutheran Church, or any Veteran’s Charity. The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the nurses and staff of Lake Hills Inn for their loving care. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory. Thoughts and condolences may be sent to Irene’s family at www.lietz- frazefuneralhome.com.