Irene J. Christen, 84, of Hallettsville, passed away May 29, 2015. She was born on Jan. 1, 1931 to Isidor & Annie Picha Kutach in Hallettsville. Her father died when she was only 2 years old. Being an only child, she grew up and was very close to her mother and her uncle Johnny Picha. She spent all her life in Lavaca County and graduated at Hallettsville High School in 1949.

Irene met Melvin W. Christen and soon after, they married on Sept. 27, 1949 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. They were married 54 years, ending with Melvin's death on Sept. 22, 2003.

Irene worked at various jobs in Hallettsville, including Weingarten's, a couple of local restaurants, and as a nurse aid at Youens Hospital in Weimar, where her interest in the medical field began. So in between her job schedules and caring for her family, she managed studying and attending nursing school at Wagner Hospital in Shiner, where she became a Licensed Vocational Nurse. This was something she truly enjoyed. She worked at Stevens Nursing Home until her retirement.

Irene & Melvin also enjoyed traveling. When they had some time for themselves, they would take off and tour Texas and bordering states, stopping for picnic lunches along the way, visiting State and National Parks.

Irene was a member of Catholic Daughters of Americas, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville.

Irene is survived by: step son Leonard Christen Sr.; son Melvin W. "Red" Christen Jr. & wife Marilyn, both of Hallettsville; daughter Diane Neubauer & husband Franklin of Shiner; 6 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Melvin W. Christen Sr. and parents.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Monday, June 1, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Sunday, with Rosary starting at6 pm, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Pallbearers: Weston Christen, Quinten Christen, Landon Christen, Leonard Christen Jr., Christopher Neubauer, and Jennifer Wick. Memorials: Donor's Choice. Burial: Moravia Catholic Cemetery.