Irene Eyrline Reis

Irene Reis Irene Eyrline Reis, 92, of San Luis Obispo died on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at her home. Irene was born in January 1924 in Comfort, Texas, to Fritz and Emily Wenzel Heil. She attended school in Goliad, Texas, and graduated from Goliad High with the class of 1942. On a blind date she met Gene Reis who was serving in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Victoria, Texas. After Gene returned from serving overseas several year later, they were married on September 2, 1945, in Austin, Texas, where Irene was attending a Texas Lutheran College and training to receive her commercial pilot's license. She and Gene spent several years in Texas prior to moving to San Luis Obispo. While attending Mortuary School and serving part of his apprenticeship they lived in Burbank, Oakland and Arroyo Grande, before returning to San Luis Obispo in 1951; where she worked for Dr. Edison French. In 1955 Gene and Irene founded Reis Colonial Chapel which they have operated together until selling to their son and daughter-in-law in 2011. Irene was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in San Luis Obispo for over 50 years and taught Sunday school there for several years. She was very active in her children's activities, such as den mother in Cub Scouts and Campfire Girls. She was a member of Soroptomos International and very active in several square dance clubs for over 40 years. Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Gene; her parents and her brother James Delmar Heil. She is survived by her son Kirk Reis and daughter-in-law Wendy of San Luis Obispo; daughter Luann Gregory of Bullhead City, Ariz.; granddaughters, Emily Reis of San Luis Obispo, and Heather Howard of Pa.; great-granddaughter Michala Howard; her brother Harry Heil of Goliad, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to doctors Michael Steel, Steven Sainsbury, Andrea Tackett, Daniel Woods and the volunteers at Central Coast Hospice. A very special thanks to her and Gene's longtime caregivers and companions Yvonne Hampton, Loni Mayfield, Ellen Buss and Lisa Mae Neel, whose amazing care made it possible for them to live at home until they passed. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 16, 2016, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Reis Family Mortuary. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2016, at 10:30am at Reis Family Mortuary with burial concluding at the Old Mission Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Lutheran Good Shepherd Home, 202 S. West Street, P.O. Box 849 Concordia, Mo., 64020; to Central Coast Hospice or to one's favorite charity.

Irene Eyrline Reis

January 25, 1924 - June 11, 2016