Irene Cecilia Arnold, born April 13, 1925, in Eddyville, Nebraska, passed away in Cheyenne, Wyoming on January 31, 2025, two and a half months shy of 100 years of age. Irene was born of Mary Joanna Cunningham (McDonnell) and William Owen Cunningham and grew up in Eddyville and Wood River, Nebraska before completing high school in Brady, Nebraska.

Her siblings included Fred, Leo, Martin, Gerald and William. After taking classes at Kearney State College, Irene taught grade school in Sumner, Nebraska where she married her husband Darrell Arnold, Sr. She and her husband later moved to David City, then North Platte. Irene and her husband had ten children: Paula, Fred, Dennis, Marilyn, Jim, Matt, LeAnne, Monica, Darrell and Dolores (Lori), all of whom attended North Platte schools. In her 80s Irene moved from North Platte to Caldwell, Idaho to be near her daughter, Monica, then to Cheyenne, where she lived with her daughter Dolores (Lori). Irene was from a family of musicians, having grown up attending barn yard dances in Eddyville where her brothers played old time music. She was an enthusiastic singer and many years a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church choir. Irene was also a devout Catholic. She took great joy in her many children and her over 40 grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren. Irene was a wonderful storyteller, who had an infectious laugh.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents, William and Joanna Cunningham; husband, Darrell; children, Paula, Fred, Dennis, and Marilyn; brothers, Leo (Clara) Cunningham, Fred (Iona) Cunningham, William Cunningham, Gerald Cunningham, Martin Cunningham, Baby Charles; sister, baby Rose.

She is survived by six children and their spouses: Jim (and Debbie) Arnold, Matt Arnold, LeAnne Arnold, Monica (and Matt) Osinski, Darrell Arnold (and Sarah Jacob), and Dolores (Lori) Parr.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 AM with Father Jonathan Sorenson as Celebrant, on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Christian Wake services beginning a half hour prior to mass at 10:30 AM. Burial following mass at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell. Nebraska. The book for Irene can be signed from 12 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with family present from 5 PM to 7 PM. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

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