Irene Lillian (Harpel) Vander Syde, 96, passed away September 17, 2014. Born March 2, 1918 in Sherburn, MN to the late Lawrence and Lillian Harpel, she married J. Wayne Vander Syde on Jan 25, 1939 and they had 52 years together. They moved to Apache Wells in Mesa, AZ to retire in the early 1970’s. Irene was a bookkeeper for their business (Wayne’s Sales and Service) in Meeker, CO for 12 years where they had farm equipment and car dealerships. In 1958, they bought a ranch near Harrison, ID. They lived in Minnesota, Washington, Colorado, Idaho, and Arizona.
Irene’s interests were music, gardening, birds, reading, poetry, health club, piano, art, Trinity Broadcast, flying in their planes, riding motorcycles and horses, and traveling with their Travco motor home all over North America. She was a very generous person and had a lot of spirit and tenacity.
She was preceded in death by her husband on May 28, 1991; son, Victor (at birth); daughter, Sandy Irish of Hanford, CA; son Kelly Wayne; four brothers: George, Orville, Lavern, and Curtis Harpel; and three sisters: Rosella Wynia, Minnerva O’Neil, and Hazelle Colburn. She is survived by and devoted mother to Lani (Robert) Clark of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren: Rodney J. Brown, Shannan Bentzein, and Steve Seager; great-grandchildren: Josh and Ryan Brown, Erin (Garrick) Wynn; and great-great-granddaughters: Mila, Mia Bentzein, and Kylee Seager. She is also survived by step-granddaughter Jana (Brian) Hower ; great-grandsons Chris and Nick Hower, sister Joy Lossing of Minneapolis, MN and many nieces and nephews including Lily (Jerry) Neitzell and Linda Colburn (who attended her 90th birthday party).
Thank you to Evercare Hospice. Sincere appreciation to the staff at Mission Palms Health Care of Mesa for the 11 years Irene spent there.
Irene was such a pleasure to care for at mission palms. She was always so sweet, and always singing! I will never forget her! She was one of my favorite residents. <3
Irene was such a pleasure to care for at mission palms. She was always so sweet, and always singing! I will never forget her! She was one of my favorite residents. <3