Irene Ley

Irene Theresa Ley completed her journey on this earth on Sunday night, August 29, 2010 at Chapel Court a community of St. Johns Lutheran Ministries.Irene was born April 5, 1925 on a farm near Laurel Montana to George and Mollie Weis. She attended Laurel High School. The same year that her youngest son graduated from college she received her GED. She married Herbert Ley on September 24, 1943. Their marriage was blessed with five children.Irene loved God. She was a confirmed charter member of Atonement Lutheran church. She was excited to learn her Bible. Many times she challenged and inspired her pastors. She found it very important to share her faith and tell Bible stories to her children, especially when they were young. For several years she led a neighborhood ecumenical Bible study group that inspired her faith as well as nurtured deep friendships.Irene was a resourceful homemaker. She could make a feast in a moments notice. She will be remembered for her skills at old fashioned German-Russian cuisine. Her family always thought she was the best cook. They will always remember her Grout Bierock, Blina, Kuchen, Rivvel Kuchen, and many more dishes. And there will probably never be a better apple pie than Irene could make.Irene was a skilled seamstress; she enjoyed making clothes for her children and grandchildren when they were young. She made many crochet blankets, tablecloths, and doilies. She took pride in sewing baptismal napkins for her church. She also enjoyed making quilts for Lutheran World Relief, special fund raisers, and for family and friends.Irene had a lot of fun with crafts. One year she made Spanish ladies out of plaster of Paris. She would often make Christmas table arrangements that would rival any florist shop. She found great satisfaction in doing something well and then sharing it with others. Irene had a green thumb when it came to her garden. She would can pickles of all sorts, tomatoes, salsa, all from her garden, for her family and friends to enjoy throughout the winter. Her yard was always a source of joy and pride for her. She took delight in cutting roses from her rose garden and sharing with friends and family. A dear friend used her flowers from her yard to make beautiful arrangements for her grand daughters wedding. She gardened long after most would have surrendered to the pain of arthritis. Irene was also a fine business woman. She co-operated Herb Ley Distributing with her husband. She would often tease that she was the president of the corporation and her husband would tease back that he was the major stock holder.Irene was blessed to have many wonderful friends at Chapel Court. A special thanks goes out to the staff at St. Johns Lutheran Ministries and the staff at Yellowstone River of Care who made her last days filled with hope, dignity and love. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Herbert Ley; brothers Roy, Ted, George, Aaron, Carl, and Clearance; sister Doris Ludwig; grand daughter Christine Ley; son Sandy Ley; great grandson Casey Staudinger.Irene is survived by her brother Donald; daughters Dr. Joyce Ley of Portland, OR, Judy May and her husband Terry May of Billings, MT; sons Gary Ley of New York; Rev. Troy Ley of Billings, MT; her daughter in-law Charlotte Ley; nine grand children, eight great grand children. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. at Ocee Johnson Chapel in Chapel Court, St. Johns Lutheran Ministries, 3940 Rimrock Road Billings, MT with a special reception to follow. The family encourages that memorials be made to Christikon Bible Camp or The Center for Generations at St. Johns Lutheran Ministries. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.