Irene Soyez
CEDAR POINT — Irene Regier Soyez, 94, passed away April 4, 2014, at Golden Living Center in Cottonwood Falls, Kan. She was born May 19, 1919, the daughter of Abe T. and Katie Fast Regier, at Buhler, Kan.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66½ years, Emile F. Soyez Jr., who died in 2008; her parents; brothers, Henry “Hank” and Herb Regier; sisters, Elizabeth Penner, Bertha Ensz, and Mathilda Regier.
Irene graduated from Buhler Rural High School in May 1937. By winning a Reno County Scholarship, she attended Hutchinson Junior College from 1937-38. Irene graduated from Tabor College, Teacher Training Course, Hillsboro, Kan., in May 1939. The yearbook listed her activities as “Teacher Training, YWCA ’39, Ladies Glee Club, and ‘The Sand Hills boast not only of good watermelons, but of charming school teachers as well.’”
Her teaching career began at Number 9 School, Grades 1-8, in rural northeast Marion County. On Nov. 22, 1941, Irene married Emile Soyez Jr. in Marion, Kan. The cowboy and schoolteacher moved to the Elk community, Chase County, Kan. After three years of teaching, Irene stayed home to help with the farm and raise a family. Four children were born, Gary, Jerry Lou, Ralph, and Terry.
When their house was destroyed by a lightning fire in 1945, Emile and Irene moved to a farm northwest of Cedar Point, Kan. In 1959, they purchased their home place, southeast of Cedar Point.
In 1962, Irene returned to school, graduating from Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia, Kan., with a degree of Bachelor of Science in education in January 1965. Irene taught mathematics and social studies in the seventh and eighth grades at Cottonwood Falls Grade School and later moved to the sixth-grade classroom.
After 22 years of teaching school, Irene retired to help with the farm and ranch work. She enjoyed doing the bookkeeping, playing piano, fishing, mastering crossword puzzles, and visiting with friends and family.
Irene was a member of the NEA, Emporia State University Alumni Association, and Cedar Point Methodist Church.
Her surviving family are her sister, Minnie Siebert of Hutchinson; brother, Wilbert Regier of Buhler; her children, Gary and wife Ada Soyez of El Dorado, Jerry Lou and husband Steve Robinson of Garnett, Ralph and wife Susan Soyez of Emporia, and Terry Soyez of Cedar Point.
Her life was blessed with seven grandchildren, Andi Thomas (Brad) of El Dorado, Doug Robinson (Melissa) of Newport Beach, Calif., Stan Robinson of Fairbanks, Alaska, Jeffrey Robinson of Rochester, Minn., Zach Robinson of Seattle, Wash., Sherry Griffith (Bob) of Lebo, Michael Soyez (Carol) of Olpe; seven great-grandchildren, Charlie Thomas, Natalie, Tori, Ellie, and Gage Robinson, Catherine Griffin, and Amber Soyez; and step-grandchildren and their families.
The visitation with family will be held on Thursday, 6-8 p.m., at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2014, at the Cedar Point Community Church. Interment will be in the Cedar Point Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established for the Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm, Marion, KS 66861.