Irene Helen Haecker

Irene Helen (Penshorn) Haecker age 79 of Marion, peacefully passed away in her home on July 4, 2022. Irene was born in Seguin, TX on October 19, 1942 to Marvin & Viola Penshorn.
Irene grew up in Marion. She attended and graduated Marion High School in 1960.
During her High School Years she met the love of her life Arthur Haecker at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels TX (after chasing her around on his bike at Landa Park), and were happily married on June 18, 1961.

On June 17, 1962, they had their first child Justine Marie. Later in life on September 27, 1966, they were blessed with their only son Kevin Ray. Completing their family of five on July 25, 1971, their third child Pennie Jean was born. The two of them celebrated their wonderful life of 61 years together.
Irene's first job was as a bookkeeper at the cotton gin, while also babysitting and sewing clothes for family and friends as well as others. After the closing of the cotton gin, Irene went to work for Herald-Zeitung Co. for a while, later landing a job at San Antonio Belt & Pulley Co. in San Antonio in their payables department. She was blessed to work right next door to her husband Arthur, the two of them had the honor of driving to work together each day. Irene later took a job at St. John Lutheran Church as office secretary where she could be closer to home and her grandchildren that she so dearly loved and enjoyed watching. Irene retired in January 2012.

In high school Irene (aka Honey, Mom, Momma, and Grandma) loved to play basketball, and we must say she was quite good at it based on the newspaper articles we have read. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends dancing, bowling, playing card & dominos, camping, hunting, fishing-her absolute favorite. She enjoyed fish fries at Hot Shots in McQueeney, gardening (watching the hummingbirds, birds and squirrels on the back porch, canning, sewing, baking
(especially for the kids and grandkids - her famous Ice Box Cookies) and most of all she enjoyed Christmas time (she had a knack for decorating - as the grandkids would say ... everything had to be just perfect and her famous words to them
"Do Not Touch"). She was a member of the TX ten-pin leagues, Bexar Bowling Club, McQueeney Bass Club and many different volleyball organizations.

Irene is preceded in death by her mother and father Marvin & Viola Penshorn, sister Lorine Howell, brother's Leroy & Jimmy Penshorn
She is survived by her husband Arthur Haecker and sidekick Mookie, sister's Carolyn Abel, Betty Kriewald (Gerald), daughter Justine Gilbreth Brown (Johnny), their son Kevin Haecker and their youngest daughter Pennie Swanson (Rod). Grandchildren Dustin Gilbreth (Tabetha), Derek Gilbreth (Kayla), Jennifer Gilbreth, Trey Haecker, Kasey Haecker (Jordan), Christin Haecker, Crissy Holguin (Ralph), Alan Swanson (Stephanie), Brandon Swanson (Ashley), Clay Swanson, 12 wonderful great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honorary Pallbearer: Dustin Gilbreth, Derek Gilbreth, Alan Swanson, Trey Haecker, Brandon Swanson and Clay Swanson

A memorial service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Marion, TX on July 17, 2022 @ 1:00 pm followed by a celebration of life reception at St. John Lutheran Activity Center (PJ Hall).
600 S. Center Street Marion, TX
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church
PO Box 68 Marion, TX 78124
The family would like to give our sincere gratitude to all who cared for, sent prayers, food and kind words to our mother, grandmother, wife during her past 2 weeks.

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