Irene (Boot) Dylhoff
March 2, 1911 - (97 years) - November 18, 2008

Irene Fern Boot was born near Otley, Iowa, the youngest child of Marinus and Nancy (VanBaren) Boot. At a young age she moved with her family to Pella, where she attended school and later worked as bookkeeper for the Farmers Cooperative. On August 24, 1935 she was married to Gelmer Dylhoff, also of Pella, and together they had three children: Philip, Dorothy and Nancy.

Following her marriage, Irene lived in Marshalltown, Iowa, where she worked for the Securities and Savings Bank. They later moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she spent much of her married life. Here she helped to start the Des Moines Christian School and was active in First Federated Church. A change in her husband's employment took the family to Gilman, Iowa, where she was bookkeeper for Holland Plastics Co. In 1969 she and Gelmer began managing retirement homes for "The Defenders", a Christian organization. In 1977 they retired and moved to "Tranquil Acres", a lovely setting on their son Philip's farm near Kalona, Iowa. In retirement they were actively involved in Iowa City Bible Fellowship and Hillside Christian School. Irene and her husband were an encouragement to many young families in both venues.

After her husband's death in 1993, Irene moved to her younger daughter's home in Greenwood, Indiana. Well into her 80's she continued to learn and grow, completing 7 years of Bible Study Fellowship. She remained in Greenwood until 2003 when she moved to the Chicago area near her son's home. Most recently she resided in a nursing home in West Chicago, Illinois.

Irene's selfless, sweet spirit and cheery disposition and her eager desire to continue to deepen her relationship with her Lord were an example to many people. She was intent upon explaining that her life's fulfillment was found in her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. She also found great joy in her family. She reveled in knowing that all three of her children and their spouses were dedicated Christians and she showed great interest in the activities and professions of her six grandchildren. Her greatest desire was for the generations who followed to continue in "looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ".

Irene is survived by her children and their spouses: Philip and Suzanne Dylhoff (West Chicago, Illinois), Dorothy and Gerd-Peter Baumgarten (Argenthal, Germany), Nancy and John Hill (Greenwood, Indiana); 6 grandchildren and their families including 3 great-granddaughters: Captain Nathan and Jennifer Hill (Yuma, Arizona), Micah and Andrea Hill and Cora (Greenwood, Indiana), Joel and Candice Dylhoff and Sophia (Boston, Massachusetts), Sarah and David Abuhl and Lucia (North Augusta, South Carolina), Jonathan and Nicole Dylhoff (Dubuque, Iowa), and Esther Baumgarten (Puderbach, Germany).

Irene specified that her organs and body be given for science. A memorial service is planned for late December. In lieu of flowers, Irene desired that memorial gifts be given to the Missions Fund of her church, Christ the King Church of 336 McKee Street # A, Batavia, IL 60510.