Irene G. Havens

Irene G. Havens, of Elizabeth, IL, passed away Tuesday, March 26, in her home with her family by her side. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ladies Union Cemetery, Stockton, IL.

Irene was born on the family farm in Stockton on November 30, 1929, daughter of Levi and Hilda (Krupke) Smith. She was the oldest of six, and spent a lot of time on the farm helping with chores and taking care of her younger siblings. Irene met the love of her life, Clyde Havens, at the Structo Toy Factory in Freeport, IL, where they both worked. They hit it off right away, and the rest was history. Irene and Clyde married on November 28, 1964. Together they raised six children, and celebrated 52 beautiful years of marriage until Clyde’s passing in 2016.

Irene worked hard her whole life. She worked at the toy factory for 20 years before quitting to raise her family. During this time she started selling Avon, which she continued for 20 years. When the kids where old enough to go to school she became a cook, and worked all over Jo Daviess County for many years. Later in life Irene took a step back so she could babysit her grandchildren more and more, which she absolutely loved.

Irene is known around the area for raising Chihuahuas. She loved the little dogs, and always had a pet dog of her own while her kids were growing up. In her spare time Irene enjoyed tending her garden and looking out at her flowers. She sewed ripped clothes for her family, and made all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren quilts and blankets.

At the center of Irene’s life was her family. She was a proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She cherished the time she got to spend with her grandchildren, and loved them deeply, but Irene missed Clyde greatly for these last eight years. She wanted her family to take comfort knowing she is now hand in hand with her husband again.

Irene will be dearly missed by her seven children, Sharon (Terry) Cross of Orangeville, IL, Terry (Jenny) Havens of Hanover, IL, Sherri (Ken Spoerl) Havens of Hazel Green, WI, Bonnie (Adam Brant) Patterson of Scales Mound, IL, Connie Havens of Elizabeth, Rena (Doug) Smith of Galena, IL, and Clydene Olson of Hanover; 23 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and one on the way, and 8 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; and three siblings, Robert Smith of Warren, IL, Elvin (Loralee) Smith of Lena, IL, and Kathryn Duitsman of Freeport.

Irene is preceded in death by her loving husband, Clyde; her daughter, Sylvia; her brother Leroy Smith; her sister Alice Tipton; and her parents, Levi and Hilda.