Helen "Irene" Hill Briggs, a lifelong resident of McPherson and Reno counties, died in Wichita on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. She was 85.
Born in Hutchinson on May 11, 1926, Irene was the daughter of Blaine and Jennie Nelson Hill. She graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1944, and two years later celebrated Thanksgiving by marrying Ted Briggs on Nov. 28, 1946. The couple lived in rural Windom for 44 years, moving to Hutchinson in 1990.
A member of Andover Lutheran Church of rural Windom, Irene sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and was active in Lutheran Church Women. She was a talented soloist who loved music, had perfect pitch and the ability to play the piano by ear. Irene also enjoyed gardening, baking and monitoring weather conditions. She was highly intuitive, possessed a zany sense of humor and was an enthusiastic writer of letters and cards. An avid birdwatcher, Irene loved Cardinals — both the birds and the baseball team.
Irene shared Teddy with an entire community through his business, Briggs Repair. He died in August 2008.
Irene also was preceded in death by brothers Ernest Hill, Joe Hill, Howard Hill and Harold Hill; sisters Elizabeth Hinshaw, Marjorie Hicks, Mary Anne Tonn and Betty June Hill; and nephews Dean Hinshaw, Ron Hill and Mark McClure.
Survivors include daughter Nancy Briggs and husband Jerome Berkowitz, Olathe; son Steven Briggs and wife Laurie Kelley Briggs, Wichita; grandchildren Alexandrea Satariano, Claremont, Calif., Briggs Raanen "Rainey" Berkowitz, Olathe, and William "Billy" Gunner Briggs, Wichita; stepgrandchildren Alayna and Jacob Berkowitz, New Jersey; brother Don Hill, Liberal; sister Virginia McClure and husband Harry, Topeka; and sister-in-law Ila Briggs, Hutchinson.
Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Andover Lutheran Church, rural Windom, with Pastor Tom Hallowell officiating. Burial will follow at the Andover Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at Buhler Mortuary, Buhler. The family suggests memorials to Andover Lutheran Church, in care of Buhler Mortuary, 120 N. Main, Buhler, KS 67522
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McPherson Sentinel, December 14, 2011