Irene Eleanora Coulter
6/21/1941 - 4/4/2016

Irene Eleanora Andreason Coulter, 74, of Jones Creek, passed away Monday, April 4, 2016.

Irene was born June 21, 1941, to Axel and Anna Andreason in Houston, TX. She spent her childhood in Clute, TX, where her parents were proprietors of many local businesses. Irene was influenced at an early age by the sights, sounds and tastes of the cafes in which she grew up helping her family, and she developed an appreciation of her Swedish heritage and traditions that she carried throughout her life.

Irene attended Brazosport High school, where she developed her lifelong passion for sewing in her first home economics course. She graduated in 1959. Irene met the love of her life, Hal Dicky Coulter, in 1958, at the popular meeting spot, Beach Pavilion on Surfside Beach, where Irene's parents were proprietors. Dicky and Irene were married July 29, 1960, and enjoyed 54 years of loving marriage.

Irene spent the early years of their marriage raising their three sons, Kevin, Keith and Kayne. She became well-known and involved in the community through their school and the many sports and activities in which they participated. Her home was always open to friends and family for good home-cooked meals, which many remember and cherish to this day. Irene loved to sew; even with all boys she would use her skill to sew many dresses, wedding gowns, and special items, mostly for nieces, and later for her daughters-in-law and granddaughters. Irene had a special bond with all "her girls."

In the late 70's, Irene began to work outside the home at Willenberg's Pharmacy in Freeport, TX. In the 80's and 90's, Irene took her talent and love for sewing to the business world and opened Jil's Ruffles, a window treatments business with two of her friends, Judy Canady and Linda Polk. They operated Jil's Ruffles from the back house of Irene and Dicky's home in Jones Creek, TX. In the 2000's, Irene became a sales representative for Palais Royal, where she retired by 2010.

In addition to her work, Irene served in the community through various activities. She was an active member of Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church for many years. Irene was a devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving Velasco Chapter No. 220 several times as Worthy Matron and as Deputy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Texas. She was equally devoted to the Daughters of the Nile and recently completed her service as Queen of Ramallah Temple No. 89 in Galveston. Her courage and determination to serve her year as Queen even as she endured the ravages of chemotherapy impressed all those who served with her.

Throughout her life, she maintained a strong relationship with Jesus. She was christened at the age of seven at Grace Lutheran Church in Freeport, TX, and her faith remained most important through her last days. Her love for Jesus showed in her unending acts of service to her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Axel and Anna Andreason; her loving husband, Hal Dicky Coulter; and brothers, Herbert Andreason and Danny Andreason.

Irene is survived by her sons, Kevin Coulter (Stacey), Keith Coulter (Gail), and Kayne Coulter (Stacy); eight grandchildren, Callie Jolley (Garrett), Cameron Joeckel (Luke), Casey Duke (Dylan), Kevin Coulter, Codi Coulter, Kyle Coulter, Josi Coulter, and Christian Coulter; sister, Nadine Jordan (Max); two brothers-in-law, Jimmy Coulter (Jane) and Joe Coulter (Sue); two sisters-in-law, Ruth Hagen (Bud) and Sandy Garrison (Carl); along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 4 :00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church in Jones Creek with the Rev. Tom Wessman officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 :00 to 8 :00 p.m. on Friday, April 8, at Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Coulter, Kyle Coulter, Christian Coulter, Dylan Duke, Luke Joeckel, and Garrett Jolley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kevin Coulter, Keith Coulter, Kayne Coulter, Jimmy Coulter, Joe Coulter, Max Jordan, and Seth Fair, her Godson.

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