Individual Details

Britsch, Irene M. Wyse
September 10, 1914 - May 31, 2008
Irene M. Wyse was born September 10, 1914 to William M. and Dinah (Roth) Wyse near Archbold, Ohio. She began working at the Archbold Ladder Factory as a teenager and later enjoyed the friendship of Olen Britsch who worked in the office at the factory. They were married November 25, 1937 in a ceremony following the Thanksgiving Day worship service at Central Mennonite Church, Archbold, OH. A daughter, Maretta, was born in 1942 and a son, Calvin, in 1947.Irene and Maretta moved to Sarasota, Florida in August, 1943 and lived with her sister Stella and Henry Crossgrove while Olen was in a Civilian Public Service camp at Sidling Hill, PA. Irene worked in the celery fields for Henry. In the fall of 1944 she, Olen and Maretta moved to Malcolm, NE where Olen was the business manager for a CPS camp. They returned to Archbold in April 1946. She was a homemaker as she raised their children, enjoying gardening, reading, quilting, entertaining and volunteering. She kept a notebook, listing the books she read, starting in 1953 until recent years when her failing eyesight prevented her from reading. She read through the Bible every year, using various translations. Many Sunday afternoons were spent writing letters to friends and missionaries. During her adult years, Irene often taught Summer Bible School and Sunday School to children and adults, primarily at Bancroft Mennonite Church (now Toledo Mennonite) where she and Olen attended for over 30 years.Her volunteer work benefited many organizations, including Fulton County Health Center, Meals on Wheels, Bancroft Mennonite Church, Zion Mennonite Church, Fulton County Cancer Society, Fairlawn Haven, Little Eden Camp and the Gideons. Besides her volunteer work, she and Olen generously supported Mennonite organizations, especially Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Central Committee, and Mennonite Mission Network.Irene enjoyed exercise, sometimes walking as much as five miles a day. She was an avid Scrabble player and enjoyed playing board games with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed travel, taking trips to Africa, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Hong Kong, Canada, Puerto Rico, the British Isles and Hawaii. Many of these trips were related to Olen's involvement in MEDA. She and Olen enjoyed visiting their children in Pennsylvania and Colorado. After Olen died in 1978, Cal and Cheryl moved to Archbold and Irene frequently visited her daughter's family in Colorado.Music was an important part of her life. She listened to classical music on records and radio throughout the years as well as attending many concerts, especially the Toledo Symphony and the Zion Mennonite Church Choir.As a mother and grandmother she prayed for her son, Calvin (Cheryl), daughter Maretta (Arlin) Buller, and grandchildren, Andrea (Jason) Golden, Anthony (Farrell) Buller, Ryan Britsch, Kari Britsch, and Matthew Britsch. Her only brother, Wilbur, preceded her in death. Surviving are sisters Stella Crossgrove, Lucille Crossgrove, Marjorie (Lester) Nafziger, and Lodema Nafziger. Sisters-in-law are Lorraine Wyse, Meredith Beck, and Doris Britsch. She appreciated the wonderful care she received the last four years at Fairlawn Haven and considered the staff among her friends.Irene's burial took place at the Pettisville Cemetery prior to this Memorial Service at Zion Mennonite Church, Archbold, Ohio. Pastors: Sherm Kauffman and Mona Sauder.. Organist/Pianist: Jim SauderSong Leader: CherylBritschTrumpeter: Arlin Buller
Submitted by granddaughter: Andrea Kristine Buller Golde

Birth	10 Sep 1914
Birth	1915	Ohio, USA
Birth	1915	Ohio, USA
Residence	1920	German, Fulton, Ohio, USA
Residence	1930	German, Fulton, Ohio, USA
Marriage	25 Nov 1937	Olen L BRITSCH
Death	31 May 2008	Archbold, Fulton, Ohio, USA
Residence		Archbold, Fulton, Ohio, USA
SSN issued		Ohio, USA
Residence		Archbold, Fulton, Ohio, USA

Spouse

Olen L BRITSCH (1915 - 1978)

Father	William M WYSE (1890 - 1976)
Mother	Dinah J ROTH (1893 - 1984)
Sibling	Minnie Lydia WYSE (1903 - 2003)
Sibling	Stella Mary WYSE (1912 - 2009)
Sibling	Lucile M WYSE (1916 - 2009)
Sibling	Wilbur M WYSE (1918 - 1987)
Sibling	Marjorie M WYSE (1920 - 2009)
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Emma C WYSE (1897 - 1962)