Irene Henrich Buhl Demers, 95

Heaven gained a very special angel on Thursday, June 29th when Irene passed away peacefully at her home. Irene was born in Silver Star, MT at Barkell Springs on February 12, 1922. She was the fifth of seven children born to Carl and Alice Henrich. Irene lived her first year in Trident, MT where her dad worked as a barber and the family later moved to Waterloo, MT. Irene attended grade school in Waterloo and graduated from Whitehall High School. After graduation she worked various jobs including a cook's helper and chore girl at the Davis Ranch in Waterloo. On June 6th, 1941 she married Oscar "Dutch" Buhl in Whitehall. They had four children; Leonard, Arlene, Larry and Pam. They lived in Waterloo and later moved to Butte where Dutch worked at the mine and Irene worked as a nurse's aide at St. James Hospital. In 1957 the family moved back to Whitehall where they built and operated "Rene's Drive In" at the east end of town. After a few years of running the business, Irene went to work for Mick McFadden at McKay's Grocery store where she stayed for 17 years. In June of 1979 she started working at the State Liquor Store where she retired from in 1990. Fifteen years after Dutch's passing Irene married Harold Demers on June 13th, 2000. Harold and Irene spent many hours dancing, camping and taking long drives around the valley. Harold passed away on March 18th, 2008. Irene is remembered by everyone for her witty sense of humor, spunky attitude, love for dancing and amazing cooking skills. She has left a void in all of our hearts. We know that she is spending her time in Heaven catching up with her friends and family whom she has missed so much. Irene is survived by her children; Leonard and Barb Buhl, Larry Buhl and Pam and Rich Smith all of Whitehall, the Demers family, sister in law, LaVerne Henrich of Butte, numerous nieces and nephews as well as her extended dance family. She had 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Irene is preceded in death by her mother and father, brothers and sisters and daughter Arlene. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 7th at 11:00 am at the Cardwell Pavilion in Cardwell, MT. Luncheon will follow and a private family burial will occur at a later date. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Gayle Sacry and the Whitehall Medical Clinic as well as Hospice-Compassus (Dorothy, Tammy and Peggy) for their continued wonderful care of our Mother, Grammy and GiGi. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Fish Creek Cemetery, PO Box 1072, Whitehall, MT 59759.