Irene Evelyn Simon was born on January 15, 1915 in Star Prairie, Wisconsin the daughter of Fred and Inga (Johnson) Route. Her family moved to the Amery area and she attended school and graduated from Amery High School. She went on to attend business school. She returned to rural Amery and worked for Polk County for a short time before taking a job in the office at Amery Public Schools. While there she met Milton Simon who was a teacher there. They were united in marriage on June 10. 1938. They made their home in Amery. Irene eventually took a job with the City of Amery doing billing for the utilities in town. Irene enjoyed card playing, especially bridge. She was also a good gardener , especially flowers. They always had a meticulous lawn. After Milton's death she lived in her home for a while and then moved to Pondhurst where she once again planted and cared for a flower garden. The past four years she has resided at Golden Age Manor in Amery where she died on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at the age of 100.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Milton, brothers: Lyle, Kenneth, Leslie and Howard, sisters: Jean and Charlotte. Surviving family members include her brother Jerry Route, sisters Clarice Burk and Loretta Anderson. She also leaves several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.


The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Amery. There will be visitation for the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery.