Born July 31, 1915 in Yale, Oklahoma to Solomon Beavers and Rosa Strader.  She passed away January 6, 2006 in Edmond, Oklahoma.  She was a resident of the Bradford Village Nursing Home (also known as Oklahoma Christian Home.)

Irene married Glen Arthur Milligan on September 5, 1932.  They had two children, Glenna Sue and Donald Wayne Milligan.  They lived the majority of their lives in Okeene, and attended the Methodist church.

Irene worked for Longs Cafe as a waitress, the Pioneer Phone Company as an operator and later the Okeene Municipal Hospital as a nurse's aid for 18 years until she retired.  Her priority was her love for family and she decided to moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma in 1989 to take on her favorite "job" of caring for her great grandson, Wesley.  Irene would make many trips to New Mexico, toting her cans of cherries for pies, egg noodles and other baked goods for her family.  She loved to cook and you could always count on her including all the favorites. She also loved to crochet just to keep her hands busy.  She enjoyed watching her grandsons play sports through high school and college.  She was an avid OSU fan.

Irene touched many lives with her willingness to always take care of her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one sister and three brothers.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Glenna and husband Gene Ritz of Guthrie, Oklahoma, son Donald Wayne and wife Helen Milligan of Espanola, NM.

Grandchildren: Gene and Candy Ritz, Mike and Tara Ritz, Sheila Fawcett, Kathy Ritz, Russell Milligan, Tammy LaFrance, Kimberly Saulnier, Julie Martinez, Sonny Martinez, Michelle Gonzalez-Gold and Estrellita Martinez.

Great grandchildren: Travis Ritz, Tracey and husband Barry Heald, Jeremy Ritz, Victoria Ritz, Jacob Ritz, Kyle and Kodie LaFrance, Candace, Savannah and Austin Saulnier, Melissa Vigil, Daniel Martinez, Matthew Martinez, and Ellena and Samantha Gonzalez.  Justin and wife Laura Ritz, B.J. Kopp and Wesley Fawcett.

Great great grandchildren: Brayden and Corbin Kopp

She is also survived by her sisters Della May Robertson, Jane Woods, sister-in-law Fannie Beavers and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Irene Milligan will be held at the graveside at Roselawn Cemetery in Okeene with Rev. George Rowe officiating on Monday, January 9, 2006 at 2:00 pm.  Arrangements by Wilkinson Mortuary of Okeene.