Irene Thayer

"She Was Never Boring"

Irene Carol Vondrasek Thayer Received the Final Blessing

May 27, 1943 - January 5, 2026

The following life story was written by Irene. 

I wrote this during my battle with cancer, which I named "The Dragon" (2011-2012). I am a stage 3, sarcoma cancer person, in remission (2014). I was born to Frank and Mae (Van Horn) Vondrasek of Pine City, Minnesota, on May 27, 1943.

I was the third of six girls who grew up on the Vondrasek Family Farm. The girls are:

Tina

Lily

• Irene

• Jane

• Laverne

• Lorraine
  
  

I was baptized in 1943 in the Roman Catholic St. Joseph's Church in Beroun, MN. I also received my First Communion at St. Joseph's in 1952. I was confirmed in 1969 and was received in the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Mark's, Mpls, MN, by Bishop Kellogg. I attended a rural grade school, Green Valley Grade School, District 75. My father attended this school. I did get a diploma from Pine City High School, 1961.

I received a Family Day Care Certificate in 1974, an Associate of Liberal Arts degree in 1979, and a Bachelor of Science degree, Cum Laude in 1980, from the University of Minnesota.

I married Matthew Henson Thayer from Chicago, Illinois.

We have three children:

• Michelle Irene Thayer, Brooklyn Center, MN (Daughter)

• Lance Frank Thayer, Concord, CA (Son)

• Scott William Thayer, Camarillo, CA (Son)
  
  

We all lived happily ever after.

After graduating from Pine City, I moved to Minneapolis, MN with my high school friends. I worked a series of jobs, attended the University of Minnesota, paused my education to get married, and had three children.

I worked in Family Day Care and child care when my children were young. In the 1970s, I was a Board Member of:

3-C-Child Care Council, Ramsey County/St. Paul, MN

Family Day Care Association, Ramsey County/St. Paul, MN

Child Care Resources, Toys + Things, St Paul, MN

When my youngest child was about 4 years old, I returned to the University of Minnesota to finish what I had started years ago.

I did a double major in Women's Studies and Family Social Science.

Several times, my young children attended class with me when I was unable to get a babysitter.

After graduation, I worked for Walman Optical in Mpls., MN, until I retired early and moved to California to help care for a grandchild.

I loved life and being with people. I loved working as a Day Care Mother (10 years) and working for Walman Optical (22 years). I loved traveling with my family to many states across the South, Midwest, and West Coast.

I am an avid gardener, a crocheter, and a reader. I always keep a Dictionary and a small Atlas close by in order to look up what I don't know, words or places.

I am an active follower of Jesus Christ. A lifelong Christian church member and reader of the Bible.

Preceded in Death by my husband, my parents, our first dogs Tricky and Garfield, two most beloved grandchildren, Breanna and Jalen, children of Lance and Jennifer, my sister Lorraine, stepson Eric, and several brothers-in-law (Herb, Ken, Bob, Dick).

Survived by my Beloved children who taught me how to love.

Michelle Thayer (Tricky, Nemo & Mr Monty Spirit Dogs)

Lance and Jennifer Thayer (Mogley, Spark & Simba Spirit Dogs)

Dr. Scott and Dr. Maria Thayer (Machete & Malibu Spirit Dogs)

Stepson Mark and Peg Thayer

My most Beloved Grandchildren who taught me how to live.

Bailey and Sammy (Lance and Jennifer), Maya and Sol (Scott and Maria), Adrienne (Eric), and Dominic and Mario (Mark and Peg)

Sisters:

Tina Meyer, West Bend, MN

Lily Yost, Andover, MN

Jane Wade, Ham Lake, MN

Laverne Johnson, Rush City, MN

Lorraine (Mike) Holcomb, Pine City, MN

Many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Sometimes I wonder if I married the right guy, but I got the right children, so everything worked out. We all lived happily ever after. I got the best children and the best grandchildren.

I am truly

Blessed, Blessed and Blessed again-

Written September 21, 2014

The family of Irene held a private service in her honor. Her love for life and spirit will be greatly missed.