Virginia Irene Kirkpatrick, aged 84, peacefully passed away at her home in Roeland Park, KS on July 15, 2024 surrounded by her husband and loving family while listening to the gospel music she loved so much.

Irene was born on September 7, 1939 on a farm in Stockton, Missouri to Roy and Bernice (Lorton) Turner. She was the oldest of four sisters (Norma, Nancy, and Doris Jean). Known affectionately as Nene to her sisters. She loved to talk of her wonderful memories on the farm and her times growing up.  She cherished those times of sitting and sharing her memories with her family around the table.

Irene graduated from Stockton High School in 1957 and would speak about the song for the Class of ‘57. In the same year she met her future husband, Jack Donald Kirkpatrick, at the corner café in Stockton. She would often say that she thought he was pretty cute. She and Jack dated and were later married on July 24, 1957. They would have celebrated 67 years of marriage together in just a few days.

In 1963, the family moved to Kansas City and lived on 17th street. Irene worked at Hallmark and then at Smaks on Rainbow Blvd across from KU Medical Center. She worked there from 1963 to 1976, starting as a cashier and later working her way up to the store manager. Irene would say that being a woman manager in a man’s world was a great accomplishment for her during those times. She later worked for Montgomery Ward Credit Services until her retirement.

Irene (Mamma) was a simple woman that worked hard and loved her family very, very much. She loved having large family gatherings on the holidays. She especially loved her family vacations. These family vacations would often be a huge road trip with three cars filled with parents, sisters, and a lot of kids following each other across the country creating memories. She had a special fondness for Estes Park, where she cherished moments by a beautiful stream. She would often say, “I wish I was sitting by that stream.”

Irene also enjoyed spending time at their land in Stockton. Every summer she would plant a garden and take rides on the pontoon boat across the lake with her children and grandchildren. During those rides she would share her memories growing up and talk about where her mom and dad farmed the land and where their relatives use to live.

Later in life, she and Jack particularly enjoyed going to the casinos to have steak dinner and spending the night gambling away. They were not big spenders, but they had so much fun.

When asked what she considered to be life’s greatest gifts she replied “That I had the greatest Dad and Mom anyone could want. That I was given the best husband and greatest kids anyone would ask for. Even though we were not rich we were still able to have a good life”

Irene (Mam-ma) Kirkpatrick’s life and love will continue in her family and those who loved her.

Irene leaves her husband Jack of 67 years, 5 children: Debbie Fernandez (Chris) of Overland Park, KS, Donnie Kirkpatrick (Donna) of Stockton MO, Danny Kirkpatrick of Roeland Park, KS, Gary Kirkpatrick of Stockton MO, and Karen Griffin (Mark) of Crestview Florida.

Irene has 3 sisters Norma Bowman (Louis-deceased) of Gladstone Mo, Nancy Turner of Kansas City, KS, and Doris Jean Turner deceased at birth. She has 14 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday evening (July 19) from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa, Kansas. Funeral Services to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, July 20 at 2:00 pm at the Brumback Funeral
Home in Stockton, Missouri. The family welcomes all who knew her to come remember and celebrate her life