This is my mother.
Taken from the Muscatine Journal Sept. 1988
Irene Brewer Middleton, 80, Ripley Trailer Court, died at her daughter's home.

Services are Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Fair-banks Chapel with the Rev. Edward B. Meyer officiating. Merrill Womach will be organist. Pallbearers will be Randall and Larry Brewer, Rick Meye, Greg Nelson, Doug Reist and Gary Wilhelme. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

A visitation is today from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the funeral chapel.

Mrs. Middleton was born March 22, 1908 in Kansas, a daughter of John and Catherine Oetken Van Horn. She first married Archie Brewer whom has preceded her in death. She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary and worked as a cook.

Survivors include a son Ralph Brewer of New Boston Illinois, a daughter Mrs. Ralph (June) Welsch of Muscatine, 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, a brother Chester Van Horn of Muscatine, a sister Marie Foster of Muscatine Iowa.

She was preceded in death by both husbands, both parents, and two brothers.
Her Baptism was 22 July 1910 in Otis, Kansas they had her name as Minna Irene Van Horn.

In 1920 Fruitland Township, Muscatine County, Iowa Census;
Lutheran Homes Old People and Orphanage Home;
All of these are brother and sisters;
Marie A. Van Horn 18 Head Servant born KS;
Charlie Van Horn 17 born KS;
George Van Horn 13 born KS;
Irene Van Horn 11 born KS;
Chester Van Horn 10 born KS;

Mom and me

This picture was taken when Bob and I got married mom broke her ankle and had to stay home.

Taken from the Muscatine Iowa Journal 12 August 1926;
GIRL IS HURT AT
LUTHERAN HOME

DUMBWAITER FALLS, STRIKES
IRENE VAN HORN ON HEAD

Breaking Rope Blamed For Accident
Which Seriously Injuries Girl's
Head and Face

Miss Irene Van Horn, 18-year old resident at the Lutheran Home, sustained serious injuries to her face, yesterday morning, when a dumb-waiter fell almost two stories and crushed her head between it and the sill of the opening.

Miss Van Horn was sending the breakfast to the second floor by the dumbwaiter, and had looked up the shaft to see if it had reached the second floor when a rope broke. Before she was able to spring back, the carriage caught her head between it and the sill, tearing the skin from the entire left side of her face. The upper jaw was broken on both sides and her nose was crushed and splintered. Although her eye was torn badly, her vision has not been impaired thus far. During all the time following the accident she has remained conscious.

She was rushed immediately to the Bellevue hospital and treated by Dr. J. L. Klein and Dr. G. A. Sywassink, who reported that if infection did not develop, she would recover.

Miss Van Horn has been a resident of the home for more than 13 years and since she reached her eighteenth birthday has assisted in the kitchen of the Old Peoples building. Notes from June Brewer Welsch, Irene was my mother and she was a orphan since she was five. As a result of this accident she could not open her eyelid but had perfect vision in that eye if she would hold the eyelid up. It never stopped her from going on with her life. She worked very hard to make a living for us kids and no matter what she would welcome everyone to her home. She was a cook most of her life and worked at various cafe's Johnny's Grill, Muscatine Cafe, Grandmas Kitchen which she owned and Muscatine County home. She died in my home as she had cancer and could not take care of herself. I can still remember that day like it was yesterday. She was the daughter of John Van Horn and Katie Oetken. Her name was really Minnie Irene. Her baptismal papers said her name was Minna Irene Van Horn which was probably Minnie in German. She was baptized in Ottis Kansas. She is buried in the Greenwood cemetery in Muscatine Iowa, my (June Brewer Welsch) and my husband have our cemetery lots next to hers. My brother and his wife also have cemetery lots next to hers.

Aunt Marie and my mother.

My mother and g/mother Sarah Essex Brewer

My mother on left taken before she had her accident.

Mom holding her first g/child Candis Welsch

My wonderful mother

My Father and Mother

My mom with her sister Marie and of course me.

My mother and Father Archie Brewer with my brother.

This picture was taken of some of the children at the Lutheran Homes. My mother Irene is the second from the right in the top row.

This picture was taken of some of the children at the Lutheran Homes. My mother Irene is the second from the left in the top row.

She was raised in Lutheran Orphans Home. She is in the third row from the bottom and standing by Mother Wittig Mother Wittig has her hand on her.

This picture was taken of some of the children at Lutheran Homes. My mother Irene is the second from the left in the top row.