Irene T. Thomas, nee Valle, of West Bend, died Monday, Dec. 6, 1999, at St. Joseph's Community Hospital, at the age of 71.

She was born March 9, 1928, in Gile, Wis., to the late Francis and Johanna (nee Daronco) Valle, and married Ted Thomas on July 31, 1948, in Hurley.

In 1964 the couple moved from Washburn to West Bend when Ted became principal at Barton Elementary School.

She was employed as a nurses' aide at Cedar Lake Health Care Center and was an active member of ARC of Washington County.

Irene enjoyed golfing at Hon-E-Kor Country Club and bowling at Weiland's for many years and she was also an avid bird watcher.

Since their retirement, Irene and Ted have enjoyed their winters in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Survivors include her husband; seven children, Michael (Jerolyn) of Charlotte, N.C., Paul (Gloria) of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Jenny (Dick) Smith of West Bend, Kevin (Patti) of Wellington, Fla., Kelly (Eugene) Sanchez of Aruba, Kay Thomas of West Bend and Tim of Charlotte, N.C.; 12 grandchildren; two sisters, Elsie (Carl) Kaffine of Eveleth, Minn. and Doris (Gordon) Soine of Hurley; a brother, George (Ann) of Sacramento, Calif.; and other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death was a son, Patrick.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, West Bend. Rev. Jeffrey Haines will officiate, and burial will be Friday in Washington County Memorial Park, West Bend.

Visitation at the church only will be Thursday from 4 p.m. until the time of services.

Memorials to the Patrick J. Thomas Scholarship Fund at the University of Wisconsin Washington County are appreciated.