Irene Theresia Symm

Irene Theresia Symm went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, March 1, 2009. She was born in Giddings, Texas, to Emil and Erna (Winkler) Hohle on June 16, 1931. Irene and her three brothers were raised in The Grove, Texas, where her family were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She taught herself to play the piano and was the organist for St. Paul for many years. After marrying Ervin Symm on June 14, 1953, they made their home in Temple. They moved their membership to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Temple in order for their daughters to attend the parochial school Immanuel had at that time. Irene was a stay-at-home mom for her three daughters and served as PTA president, long-time Sunday School teacher, an active member of Immanuel's Women's Missionary League and the church choir. Irene was an excellent seamstress and loved sewing for her three daughters as they grew up. She worked as The Sampler Dress Shop's alteration specialist. After the Sampler closed, she sewed and did alterations for the public up until just recently. After her children were grown, Irene worked for many years for Farmer's Insurance. She also was a successful Avon representative for a number of years. During a five-year battle with her daughter's cancer, Irene's faith in God deepened. She became active in Women's Aglow Fellowship and served as treasurer of that organization for many years. Her call in life became that of a prayer warrior, and over the years she spent countless hours praying for and encouraging others. Many people at Immanuel and in Aglow speak of Irene as being such a special person in their lives, having prayed for them many times over the years. Irene was truly devoted to her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved 14-year-old daughter, Carol. She is survived by her brother, Clarence Hohle; her husband, Ervin; daughter Deborah Jirasek and husband Bob; daughter Sharon Hughes and husband Gary; her grandchildren, Daniel Jirasek and wife Kelsie; Sarah Adams and husband Dave; and Joshua, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Rebekah and Stephen Jirasek; Cody and Levi Kirkland; Wes and Kelly Hughes; and Sarah Hughes. She also has three great-grandchildren, Cole and Cadie Hughes and Serenity Jirasek. Irene was a wonderful MeeMaw to all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always made time to be involved in their lives and to do so many special things for them. She will be sorely missed, but we know she is in a better place. "Give Carol a hug for us, Mom. We'll be there in the blink of an eye." For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. John 3:16 Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Dana Wilhelmsen officiating. Burial will be in Bellwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at Scanio Harper Funeral Home.