Irene Bessie Hutton, 83, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, March 10, 2017 at St. Luke's Hospital.  Celebration of life services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Brosh Chapel, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, with Reverend Mel Ramos presiding.  A dessert reception and fellowship will follow in The Avacentre.  Private family inurnment will be at a later date.

Irene was born March 14, 1933, in Iowa City, the daughter of Louis and Bessie (Fisher) Stancel.  She was united in marriage to James A. Hutton on December 7, 1957 at Kenwood Park Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids.  Irene attended a one-room schoolhouse in rural Johnson County where she graduated from the 8th grade and soon after entered the work force full-time. She worked hard as a housekeeper, waitress and nurse's aide at UIHC. Always striving to provide for her family, she entered Paris Beauty Academy where she earned a degree in Cosmetology in 1958.  The arrival of her first child in 1959 shortened her cosmetology career however Irene proudly maintained her cosmetology license until 2004. In addition to caring for her family, Irene and her husband, Jim, owned and operated Jim's Appliance Sales and Service for over forty years. Irene managed the business and ran the sales operation while Jim installed and repaired appliances. Irene insisted on high quality customer service and care; teaching each of her children how to properly answer the phones and address customer's needs. Irene was a longtime member of Hus Presbyterian Church.

She is held in loving memory by her children, Deb Hutton of Cedar Rapids, Dennis Hutton (Michael Ziegenhorn) of Iowa City, Dulce Powell of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Dayna Ballantyne of Iowa City; six grandchildren, Christian Powell, Derrik (Cait) Powell, Jenna Powell, Aubrey Ballantyne, Amara Ballantyne and Ian Ballantyne; her brother Leo (Jean) Stancel of Marion; her half-brother, Richard Stancel (Willow Springs, NC).

She has reunited with her husband, Jim, who passed away on June 8, 2016, and her parents, Louis and Bessie as well as many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family will be eternally grateful for the care and compassion provided by the nurses, physicians and palliative care team at St. Luke's Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Last Hope Animal Rescue or Hus Presbyterian Church.