Louise Irelan

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Louise Mae Irelan, a lifelong Joplin resident, passed away after a short illness September 29, 2023. She was born July 13, 1928, in Fort Scott, Kansas to Willis Winton Hester and Goldie Mae Marple Hester. She grew up in a large family having six brothers and four sisters.

She was preceded in death by parents and siblings, husband Claude Irelan, daughter Sharon Sue Irelan Barnett, and great-grandson Alex. Survived by Don Warden, her best friend and companion of 55 years; son Claude Irelan (Gwen) of Summerville, SC and daughter Treva Irelan Johnson (Bruce) of Overland Park, KS. She has 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

She instructed her children on “The Golden Rule,” charity, honesty, and respectfulness. She displayed excellent work ethics and enjoyed meeting and talking to people. As a young child she assisted her father selling produce at the local farmer’s market. She worked at Fred & Red's serving chili as a teenager; owned her first restaurant which served a huge hamburger called “The Belly Buster” and when her children began school she was employed at Pacific Mercury. Later she owned and operated “The Copper Gate” for 10 years. After that, she returned to waitressing at Denny’s Restaurant, Sambo’s until business closure, 25 years at the John Q. Hammons Holiday Inn, and then managed the deli department at the Shoal Creek Plaza and Truck Stop.

She retired at the age of 85 to spend leisure time with family and friends. She will be dearly missed by those who loved her.