Obituary of Irene Olive Wetlesen

Irene Olive Wetlesen passed away quietly on February 15, 2014 at age 94 in Mountain View, California, with her daughter, Pamela, by her bedside. Irene was born in London, England, January 21, 1920 to parents, Jack and Grace James. She is preceded in death by her husband, Captain Amund Christian (Chris) Wetlesen, Merchant Marines, Norway and U.S.A.; and grandson, Ezekiel Wetlesen. Irene is survived by her children, Pamela, David (Eloise), and Sandra; grandchildren Gabriel (Susan), Michael (Samantha), Faith, Nathanael, Joel, Samuel, Hope, Daniel and Othniel Wetlesen, Andrew (Cathryn) Falcon and Cody Herman; and great-grandchildren Cheyenne, JohnDavid, Chase, and Jude Wetlesen; and Michael, Jr. and Wetlesen twins due in April. Irene lived an adventurous life as a quiet English schoolgirl at Askes Haberdashers School. Then she was a patriotic English civilian at Barclay's Bank and served with the Red Cross in first aid and fire watch during the Blitz. Later, during World War II, she married Chris on March 20, 1943 in Banstead, Surrey, and served in the Royal Norwegian Navy near Trafalgar Square in London. After the war, she traveled with Chris aboard his ships, immigrated to the United States in 1947 and became a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Sister Elizabeth Maternity Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. She enjoyed caring for her active family, first on Staten Island, NY, and then she moved to Sunnyvale, CA, in 1963 to be closer to Chris' extended family. Irene, a resident of Sunnyvale for over 50 years, loved to travel and visit her family in the US, Norway and England as much as she could. She had been to 48 states, only missing Alaska and North Dakota. She was always knitting or making items for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They each have an afghan she has made, and many sweaters or scarves. As a long time member of Crosswalk Community Church, she helped to found Sunnyvale Christian School in 1979. Irene instilled in her family a sense of service to others, being kind, and having spontaneous fun. She will be remembered for her courage, unfailing loyalty, kindness, concern for others' happiness, and sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Irene and Chris Wetlesen Scholarship Fund at the Sunnyvale Christian School, 445 South Mary Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086.




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