Anita Irene Breuer

Anita 郢邀邜Irene郢邀邝 Breuer of Cuba, Missouri was born Thursday, January 29, 1916 at Hayden, Missouri to the union of Elmer and Eva (n郃邩e Parker) Collins and left from this life on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at Heritage Park Skilled Care Center in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 92 years, 2 months, and 5 days. Irene was united in marriage to Leslie Howard Breuer on February 2, 1935 at Cuba, Missouri and to this union seven children were born. Those who are left to treasure her memory and to celebrate her life are her four sons: Leslie Howard and wife Barbara Breuer of Alhambra, Illinois, Richard Harold and wife Jackie Breuer of Lancaster, California, Charlie and wife Dianne Breuer of Rolla, Missouri and Jack and wife Bonnie Breuer of St. James, Missouri, one daughter Carolyn and husband Fred Thompson of Tampa, Florida, twenty-four grandchildren, thirty-eight great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Eva Collins; her loving husband, Leslie Howard Breuer, Sr.; two sons, John and Mark Breuer; two sisters and their spouses, Beryle and August Danuser and Jeannie and Chuck Neuner; three brothers-in-law and their spouses, Ivan O. and Jean Breuer, John R. and Mary Jane Breuer and Thomas Adrian and Johanna Breuer; sister-in-law Marie Breuer and sister-in-law Grace Giesler and her husband Leo, and two grandsons, Timothy A. Breuer and Timothy R. Breuer. Irene was the last surviving family member of her and Leslie郢邀邙s generation. Irene attended the Cuba and Jakes Prairie Grade Schools and graduated from the two-year Job High School at Jakes Prairie. Irene and Leslie purchased a rundown and worn-out 200-acre farm eight miles northwest of Cuba in 1940. Utilizing modern farm equipment, crop rotation, erosion control and fertilizer, the family farm evolved into one of the nicest farms in the area characterized by tall corn, lush pastures, golden grain fields and fine livestock. Leslie and Irene won the University of Missouri Farm Management award for Crawford County in 1971. Irene was an excellent cook. She grew a beautiful garden of vegetables and flowers every year. She canned for hours every summer so the family could enjoy garden vegetables and fruits throughout the year. In her later years, Irene enjoyed making beautiful quilts for her grandchildren as wedding gifts. For over 25 years, many women in the Cuba area knew Irene as the 郢邀邜Avon Lady郢邀邝. She was a founding member of the Prairie Extension Home Economics Club (and was still a member when the club celebrated its 50th anniversary). She was also a charter member of the evening chapter of TOPS MO662, and later became a member of the daytime TOPS Club. She was a 4-H leader for the Prairie 4-H Club for many years. Irene also spent many hours volunteering at the Crawford County Fair in the Home Economics exhibit area. She was awarded the Crawford County Extension Service Homemaker of the Year Award in 1980. She was a lifetime member of the original Oak Grove Church of Christ in rural St. James. Irene faithfully attended worship each Sunday and was a Sunday School teacher for many young children. Irene was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, cousin and friend. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. Visitation for Anita Irene Breuer will be held Saturday, April 5th from 5 PM until 8 PM at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba. Funeral Services for Anita Irene Breuer will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, April 6th at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba with interment to follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery with Minister Chuck Ball officiating. At Irene郢邀邙s request, her granddaughters will sing 郢邀邜In The Sweet By and By郢邀邝 and 郢邀邜Precious Memories郢邀邝 during the funeral service. Honored to be serving as pallbearers are Patrick Thompson, Jonathon Thompson, Gregory Breuer, Rick Breuer, Eric Breuer and Russ Persicke. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Grove Cemetery, 13701 County Road 2270, St. James, Missouri, 65559, or to the Alzheimer郢邀邙s Association St. Louis Chapter, 9374 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri, 63132 (www.alzstl.org).