Irene R. (Blass) Hunst

Irene Roselle Hunst, 89, of Clarion passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, surrounded by her children and close relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Irene Hunst will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 4:00 PM at St. John’s Catholic Church, 608 2nd Avenue North East in Clarion with Father Jerry Blake officiating. Burial will be held at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 - 4:00 PM on Friday, with a Rosary Service beginning at 2:15 PM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion.

Irene was born on February 4, 1929 to Herman and Marie Blass. She grew up on the family farm near Cylinder, Iowa. After graduating as valedictorian from the local high school, she attended the Iowa State Teachers College (now known as UNI). Summers during her college years were spent working at Crandall’s Lodge in Spirit Lake, a period of time which provided many fond memories.

After earning a degree in home economics, Irene started her career working for the Wright County Farm Extension Office. Following this, she spent many years as a junior high home economics teacher for both the Rowan and Clarion School Districts. Making sock monkeys was a favorite class project for the students. Her children remember her testing out recipes with them at home before using them in the classroom. She later continued her own schooling and received a Master’s in Education from UNI. Irene met her future husband, Donald “Joe” Hunst, at the local Ford garage. He was the service manager, she needed work completed on her car, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. They married in 1954 and had three children: Steve, Gary, and Jeanie. Irene and Joe were married for 53 years until Joe’s passing in 2007.

Irene was an active and faithful member of the St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion, and during her later retirement years, the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fairfield Bay, AR (which included involvement with CD of A and St. Rita Circle). She and Joe were also heavily involved with the Lions Club and enjoyed travelling to the annual Lions Club conventions where they met fellow Lions from around the world.

She was an excellent seamstress and often made her own clothing, as well as outfits for her children and grandchildren. An avid card player, Irene particularly enjoyed playing with the local bridge clubs and also spent many fun hours playing 500 with family and friends. Irene cherished family gatherings and annual reunions. She also enjoyed researching family genealogy.

Irene is survived by her children: Steve (Mary Jo) Hunst, Gary (Joyce) Hunst, Jeanette Hill; grandchildren: Peggy (Patrick) Smith, Angie (Lonnie) Thompson, Valerie Foy, John Hunst, Sara (Doug) Kinney, Amy (JC) Hoyt, Brandon (Jehan) Hill; eight great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings (Beulah, Hans, Maxine, and Elsie).