Irene Opal Hieber

Irene Opal Ayers Hieber Born Irene Opal Waugh to James Alonzo Waugh and Jewel Lily (Kirby) Waugh, December 25, 1920 in Dadeville, Missouri. Died December 21, 2016, Visalia, California. The family moved to California the first time when Irene was 9 months old. While in Visalia Irene attended Highland Elementary School where she loved her teachers and many of her fellow students were members of Visalia pioneer families. In 1929 the family returned to the family farm in Dadeville. In 1936 the family returned to California permanently and Irene attended Visalia Union High School and later Visalia Junior College, now COS. While at Visalia Jr. College she met Kenneth U. Ayers, Sr. and they were soon engaged, they married in November 1940. Kenneth enlisted in the Army Air Corp and the young couple moved to San Francisco, just before the birth of their daughter Marian in December of 1941. The US entered into WWII, Irene and the baby returned to Visalia when Kenneth was shipped to India for the duration of the war. Their second daughter Betty was born August 1943 while Kenneth was overseas; Irene worked and raised their girls while waiting for the War to end to enable Kenneth to return home. Upon his return after the war, the family moved to Moses Lake, Washington while Kenneth finished his service obligation. The family then returned to Visalia where their oldest son Kenneth Jr. was born. Kenneth was recalled into the Air Force in 1950 when the US became involved in the Korean Conflict. The family moved to Washington State and then to England where they had the opportunity to travel to Scotland, Holland, France, Germany and Switzerland. They then returned to Washington State where their youngest son James was born. From Washington, Irene and the kids returned to Visalia for a year while Kenneth served in South Korea. Kenneth was then assigned to Tachikawa AFB in Japan and the family soon joined him there. Kenneth's service obligation ended in Japan and the family returned to Visalia permanently. After their return Irene went to work with Nash De Camp, Inc. and worked for them until her retirement. Kenneth died in August 1969 and Irene became very active in Women's Trade Club, Business and Professional Women's Club and International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Rebecca Assembly holding office, making countless friends and participating in the many activities they offered. It was at the IOOF that Irene met Frederick Hieber and they married January 1984. Together they continued with the many activities and trips with the IOOF until Fred's death in 2007. Irene subsequently moved into assisted living and was living at Westgate Gardens Care Facility at the time of her death. Irene is predeceased by her parents, husbands Kenneth, Sr and Frederick, sister Lorene Ayers and her youngest son James Thomas and great-grandson Seth Dunn. She is survived by her daughters Marian Bailey and her husband Jon of Hanford; Betty McNutt and her husband Mark of Visalia, son Kenneth Ayers, Jr and his wife Diane of San Rafael. Grandchildren Susan Dunn (Larry), Jackie Lynn Chapman (Michael), Jon Bailey (Joyce), Kenneth Stieers (Brittney), Kimberly Doering (Anthony), Nicole Ayers and Christina Ayers. Eight great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. There will be a Memorial Service held at Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel, 1700 W. Caldwell Ave, Visalia, CA on Friday, January 6, 2017, 1:00pm. Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel.