Irene R. Gallant

Irene R. Gallant passed away at 90 years in Ellensburg, Washington, on September 14, 2016, after losing her prolonged battle with cancer. Irene was born September 9, 1926, in Stockton, California, to Leona and Wilbur Clark. After going to Alaska in 1962 she worked as a supervisor for the Valley Hospital and the Palmer Pioneer Home in Palmer, Alaska. Irene was a woman of extreme talent, broad interests, and personal determination who delighted in the beauties and miracles of nature. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ellen M. Folkestad, her husband Joseph H. Gallant, stepson Joseph Henry Gallant, granddaughter Dawn Donovan-Edmondson, and grandson Gavin Folkestad. She is survived by five of her six children: Patricia Donovan of Hillsboro, Oregon; Ramona (Joe) Puddicombe of Palmer, Alaska; Orlyn (Pam) Folkestad of Sun City West, Arizona; William (Francine) Folkestad of Pueblo, Colorado; and Jim (Joanne) Folkestad of Westminster, Colorado. Irene had 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Her ashes and those of her beloved husband Joseph Gallant will be spread over the Matanuska Valley, Alaska, where they enjoyed many happy years together.