Bertharae "Bert" Hohenstein Irie

Bertharae "Bert" Hohenstein Irie, age 90, resident of Bell Trace in Bloomington, IN passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at the IU Health Bloomington Hospice House. Bert was born on October 28, 1924 in Clark County, OH; she was the daughter of Lewis Charles and Mary Ellen (Cartwell) Hohenstein. Bert graduated from Selma High School and Springfield Business School. She was employed by the Springfield News and Sun Newspaper in their advertising department. Bert was a member of the PEO Sisterhood and the First United Methodist Church in Bloomington. Bert married her WWII hero Robert Keith Irie in 1944. Together they moved from Indianapolis, Indiana to Springfield, Akron, Massillon, Lancaster, Ohio and Ashland, Kentucky before settling in Bloomington with the opening of the Sears store in 1965. They had five children, all whom graduated from Indiana University. Bert and her husband Bob were able to travel all over the world for both business and pleasure. As part of the core of people who built the Cook Group, they enjoyed benefits beyond their wildest dreams! Bert's greatest joy in life was loving and caring for her family. She dedicated enormous energy, time, talent, love and resources to her loved ones. Three years ago, after experiencing far too many funerals and goodbyes, she decided to gather her loved ones for a Christmas cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. In late October of 2014, the family gathered for her 90th birthday. They were happy that she was healthy enough to enjoy her day and reign supreme. She was quite a lady…. classic, fun, beautiful, graceful, energetic, interested, loving, elegant and above all awesome!! Bert is survived by her four children Mary Lou Heinrichs (Douglas), Jean Nadell (Corey), Robin Fishel (Rusty) and Susan Irie; four grandsons Matthew Joseph Irie (Rebecca), Carey Davis Nadell, Samuel Hunter Nadell and Daniel Hunter Drozda; two great granddaughters Livia Ribbeck Nadell and Berit Josephine Irie; daughter-in-law Cindy Irie and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Keith Irie, son Robert Joseph Irie, five brothers Clarence, Bud, Fred, Chet and Eb, and one sister Joy . Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Allen Funeral Home with Alan Phillips officiating. Entombment will take place at Valhalla Memory Gardens. Family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. today at Allen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the IU Health Bloomington Hospice House.

Tributes

Bertharae "Bert" Hohenstein Irie

October 28, 1924 - December 10, 2014