Irene Anita (Roland) Sears, 88, of Ames passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Accura HealthCare of Ames. She was born in Dakota City, Iowa on February 3, 1932 to John and Johannah Marie (Michelson) Roland. Irene attended Humboldt High School and graduated with the class of 1950. In 1954, she graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. She then went to work at Panora High School teaching home economics until 1957 when she returned to school. In 1959, she received her master’s and began working in home economics at ISU. In 1971 she left work to take care of her mother. On August 25, 1990, Irene was united in marriage to James Howard Sears. Irene enjoyed planting a variety of flowers and vegetables and caring for her garden. She was an avid reader and liked knitting, cooking, watching ISU basketball and football, and staying up to date on the latest news.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Genora Roland; and a brother, John J. Roland. Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 30 years, Jim; two sisters-in-law, Dolores Roland and Helen (John) Primus; three nephews, Roger Roland, Daniel (Bernadette) Primus, and Michael (Laura) Primus; a niece, Martha (Jeffrey) Widen; three great nephews, Zachary Primus, Nathaniel Primus, and Noah Widen; and two great nieces, Grace Primus and Alana Primus.
A service will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 11:00am, at Steven’s Memorial Chapel in Ames with visitation one hour prior to service. The visitation and service will be live streamed. Interment will take place on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 2:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Hardy, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the family.
