Irene J. Gion, 98, died peacefully on March 14, 2019 at Johnson County Hospital in Buffalo, Wyoming.

Irene was born July 23, 1920 in Regent, North Dakota. She was the daughter of J.Q. and Violet "Goldie" (Davison) Jacobs and 2 ^nd oldest of 11 children.  She attended 1st-12 ^th grade and graduated from St. Mary's High School in New England, North Dakota and started her professional career at the Soil Conservation Service in Mott, North Dakota.  On October 1, 1941, she married Walter F. Gion and moved on a farm, northeast of Regent, where they raised their family and ranched/farmed until their retirement. After retirement, they enjoyed traveling, visiting family, camping and boating at the local lakes.

Irene was a dedicated wife, mother, friend, and community member.  She cherished her family and enjoyed having the Jacobs and Gion families over Sunday afternoons for companionship and meals…the more the merrier. Irene loved to garden, providing fresh produce for the summer and frozen/canned goods for enjoyment in the winter months.  Her love of gardening included large and colorful flowerbeds. After moving into Regent, she spent part of every Saturday afternoon designing floral bouquets for St. Henry's Church. In her late 60's, Irene picked up the paintbrush and discovered an unknown talent of painting. She preferred painting outdoor scenes and shared her completed works with family.  She had an adventurous spirit and in her travels, enjoyed celebrating the beauty of the world, from the plains of North Dakota to the mountains of Wyoming and Colorado; she recreated the beauty she saw in her paintings.

Irene was a woman of faith and a member of the St. Henry's Women Guild for decades, and for as many years, a committed volunteer for the cancer society. She was a member of TOPS for over twenty-five years and loved hosting and attending coffee parties with the local ladies in Regent.

She is survived by son-in-law Charles Lehmann [Giselle & Christopher], son Donald (Bonnie) Gion [Monsignor Chad, Shelley, Jason, Jeffrey & Troy], son Duane (Aurel) Gion [Paul, Joel, Sarah, Samantha, Mark & Joleen], daughter-in-law Janice Gion [Richard & Christian], daughter Denise (Glenn) Fairbank [Ana & Jacob], son Dennis (Rochelle) Gion, and daughter Janelle (Philbert) Gonzales [Quint, Condia, Alia & Carlos]. She was a grandmother to biological, foster, adopted, and step-grandchildren and has 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Gerard (Lucille) Jacobs, Leonard (Carol) Jacobs, Alton (Leona) Jacobs, Quirina Schmidt (Melvin-deceased), and sister-in-law Dybe (Wally-deceased) Jacobs.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, daughters Claudia Gion and Kathleen Lehmann, and son, Eugene Gion. She also was preceded by her brothers, Walter (Lou), Wallace, Leroy (Carol), and sisters, Leona Mischel (Paul), Toni Reavis (Don), and Frances (Jack) Wilhelm.

Visitation and prayer service will be held on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at St. Henry's Church. The Mass for Christian Burial for Irene Gion will be held at St. Henry's Church on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. with Monsignor Chad Gion officiating, assisted by Deacon Don Gion. Graveside services will follow immediately and a reception lunch will be held at St. Henry's Church.