Irene Opal Flowerday

Irene Opal Flowerday, age 99 years 9 months, of Bend, Oregon died November 8th, 2023 at the Hospice Home Care Facility. Irene was born to parents Floyd and Pearl Lawson on February 7th, 1924 in Crofton Nebraska. She attended country schools and lived on a farm in Bloomfield, Nebraska. She attended Bloomfield High School and Bloomfield Methodist Church. Later she became a member of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomfield, Nebraska. After High School she met and married Raymond A. Hilliard on October 27th, 1941. Irene and Ray worked for ranchers and started farming in the Bloomfield area. To this union five children were born. A son, Richard Raymond, and daughters, Joan Kathleen, Deanna Lynn, Lynette Kay, and Carol Jean. She loved being a mother and a homemaker. In 1957, after several years of farming, they decided to move their family to Bend, Oregon. Ray became ill and passed away on October 9th, 1965. After Ray’s death she boarded college students for Central Oregon Community College. In 1966, she met and married Herbert Flowerday and they moved to Eugene, Oregon. Herbert and Irene decided to go into motel management and attended Motel Management School in Concord, California. They both worked as Motel Managers for 18 years, retiring in 1993. After retirement, they traveled to several states, returning to and settling in Bend, Oregon. Herbert Flowerday passed away in April 2011. Irene was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend Oregon from 1957-2023. Irene leaves behind a legacy of 14 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. During her later years, she loved attending her grandchildren’s events. Survivors include her daughters Joan (husband Bob Nosler) of Bend Oregon, Deanna Stewart of Salem Oregon, Lynette (husband Bill Evans) of Venita Oregon, Carol (husband Pat Joerger) of Glendale Oregon, sister-in-laws, Clara Lawson of Boise Idaho, Marian Little of Port Angeles Washington, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Pearl Lawson, brothers, Ardell and Arnold Lawson, sister, Mary June Hart, husbands, Raymond Hilliard and Herbert Flowerday, son, Richard Hilliard, daughter-in-law, Elsie Hilliard, granddaughters, Susan Hilliard and Lauren Stewart. Irene had the gift of hospitality and was always happy, always kind, and always willing to lend a helping hand to her family and neighbors. She was much loved and will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Nov. 17, 11 a.m. at Niswonger-Reynolds Chapel, 105 NW Irving Ave., Bend. Followed by Interment at Deschutes Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, 2550 NE Butler Market Rd., Bend, OR 97701.

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Irene Opal Flowerday

February 7, 1924 - November 8, 2023