Wyvonna Irish

Wyvonna was born on June 2, 1932 in Pocahontas, Arkansas from the union of Edward Bates and Bertha Short Bates. At the age of three, the family moved to Ordway, Colorado where she attended school and graduated in 1950. She married Earl C. Irish on June 11, 1950 in Roswell, New Mexico. The young couple moved to Paradox, Colorado in 1954 to Earl’s fathers ranch where they raised two children, Kent and Karen.

Wyvonna kept books for the Paradox Valley Canal and Reservoir Company for fifty years and worked at the Paradox Mercantile for about thirty years. Later in her life, she kept books for the Paradox Pipeline, Company.

She loved working in her yard and garden. Her yard was always well maintained and she grew beautiful roses. Her garden was also well maintained and produced loads of vegetables, canning most of what was grown.

She also loved sewing and spent many hours making cloths and quilts too.

Wyvonna leaves behind her children, a son, Kent (Debbie) Irish; and a daughter, Karen (Kenny) Heldman; five grandchildren, Sheila (Keith) Cotter, Kelly (Matt) Zunich, Wendy (Steve) Puderbaugh, Kevin Goforth and Julie (Matt) Appleford; seven great-grandchildren, Ashley, Morgan, Mercedes, Megan, McKenzie, Kylie and Sam; one great-great grandchild; her brother, Gary (Amber) Bates and nephews; Grant and Kelly; a sister, Kathy Robertson and nephew, Andy. She also had a loving companion for thirty years, Darrell Hendrickson, who she traveled with and was always busy doing something.

Wyvonna was preceded in death by her husband Earl in 1988, and a brother-in-law Kenny Robertson.

Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest Hospice, 3090 North 12th Street #B, Grand Junction, CO 81506