Irene Catherine Main

Irene Catherine Main, age 81, of Albia, IA, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, IA, surrounded by her loved ones. Irene was born on January 17, 1943, at home in Jerome, IA, to Frank “Chesco” and Jesse (Clark) Massa. She grew up attending school in Centerville, where she was inducted into National Honor Society and took business courses. She graduated high school with the class of 1961. Following high school, Irene moved to Chicago, IL, where she worked for Burlington Northern. Upon her move back to Iowa, she worked for the phone company in Centerville where she ran the switchboard before working as an administrative assistant for Union Carbide. Irene then went to work as a social worker for the Department of Human Services, based in Monroe County and serving several surrounding counties. She later worked for H &R Block in Centerville. Irene’s most important and treasured job over the years was being a mother, grandmother, and farm wife. In November of 1963, she married Ron Wyman in Chicago and to this union, 2 children were born, Laurie and Patrick. Irene and Ron later divorced. On August 24, 1974, Irene was united in marriage to Billy Main in Centerville and gained 2 children, Jeff and Marla. Irene and Billy were blessed with 50 years of marriage prior to her passing. Irene was a member of the Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church in Centerville and later a member of the Iconium Methodist Church. She was very strong in her faith, teaching Sunday School and Bible School, serving as Secretary of the church, helping organize luncheons, and assisting with youth group. Irene enjoyed being outdoors doing things such as riding horses, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, water aerobics, and gardening. She loved traveling and taking family vacations to places such as Las Vegas, Kansas, California, Germany, and France. She also enjoyed roller skating, reading and playing games, such as dominoes, cards, Pictionary, Scrabble, and Scattergories. She was very talented at drawing, painting, and making “high fashion” paper dolls. She was an excellent cook, known for her pickles, Italian food, and green beans. Above all else, Irene’s family was everything to her and she cherished all of the time she spent with them, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Irene is survived by her husband, Billy Main; 4 children, Laurie (Jeff) Fahrenkrog, Patrick (Andrea) Wyman, Jeff (Kim) Main, and Marla (Randy) Bronson; 11 grandchildren, Tyler (Kylie) Staton, Jared Staton, Ashlee (Andrew) Jones, Haylee (Brandon) Hymes, Mackenzie (A.J.) Lenger, Bailey (Josh) Iiams, Zach (Riley) Main, Brody Main, Danny (Max) Bronson, Derik (Olivia) Bronson, and Drake (Jasmine) Bronson; 11 great grandchildren, Audrey, Nolan, Cora and Samuel Jones, Emmalyn and Adeline Hymes, Callie Lenger, Colter Iiams, Isiah, Liam, and Lincoln Bronson; and 2 more on the way; her siblings, Margaret Hagan and Helen (Paul) Tharp; a special sister-in-law, Betty Marshall; and those she called her adopted children, Jon and Julie Jensen. Irene is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. Irene is preceded in death by her parents, Frank “Chesco” and Jesse Massa; and a brother-in-law, Ken Hagan. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Irene’s family present from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Larry Bettis and Pastor Richard Grimes officiating. Burial will follow services at Salem Cemetery in Appanoose County. A luncheon will be held at the Moravia Community Building following the committal service. Irene’s memorial service will be livestreamed on the Tharp Funeral Home Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family or to the Iconium Church.

Irene Catherine Main

January 17, 1943 - January 14, 2025