Irene (Forster) Hicks

Irene E. Hicks was born on Nov.9, 1919, to Ray Everett Forster and Livona May (Dudley) Forster, at Kirwin Kansas. She had 7 sisters and 3 brothers.   She attended High School in Glen Elder, Kansas.  While working on a local farm, she met her husband William C. Hicks, who was working as a farm hand.  On March 6, 1938, they were married at the home of her sister, Mildred and brother-in-law Wallace McKinnie.  They made their home on a farm 2 ½ miles west of Beloit, except for a short time in Washington State.

Irene and Bill adopted James, Jane, and John.  Irene was a member of the Beloit First Christian Church, O.E.S., Naomi Chapter, Business & Professional Women, and 4H Leader, and participated regularly in the annual Forster sister gathering.

While living on the farm, Irene and Bill were very active in the Beloit community. Together, they were active in the O.E.S., Naomi Chapter.   Irene was active in the church and was Superintendent of Schools on Sunday mornings. An active parent in 4-H Club, she was in charge of the 4-H Food Stand during the county fair.  She enjoyed her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren along with reading, baking, playing bridge with friends and traveling.

Irene was employed at Applebee Dry Cleaners in the 1960's. Upon leaving there, she worked as a cook at the Girl's Industrial School and the Elementary School.  When she retired from the Elementary School, she went on to work at the Banner Burger Bar until moving away from Beloit.  She later moved to Nebraska where she was employed with Fremont's Walmart store.  She was indeed a people person and after working 22 years, retired from Walmart on her 90th birthday, at which time she was still working 20 hours a week.

Irene is survived by her sister Joy Birdwell, daughter Jane Palenske-Feldhausen and husband Mike, 4 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great Great Grandchildren, as well as, numerous of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, William C. Hicks, and 2nd husband, Norman Ladd, as well as her 2 sons, Jim and John, and 10 siblings, George Forster, Dudley Forster, Jim Forster, Carmen Thomas, Mildred McKinnie, Gertrude Hauptli, Dorothy Austin, Betty Dengerink, and Marge Conger. Joy Birdwell is the only surviving Forster sibling.  Irene was living at Pathfinder Place assisted living in Fremont, NE at the time of her death on the morning of February 25 ^th , 2019.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Saturday, February 2 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1-8 PM with family present from 5-7 PM Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Kindred Hospice or American Cancer Society.