E. "Irene" (Kunkel) Kearns, 91, of Winfield, Kansas passed away Monday evening January 03, 2011 at the Kansas Veterans' Home in Winfield.

Born November 16, 1919 in Bliss, Idaho, she was the daughter of Edgar Alexander and Mary Frances (Sturges) Potter. The family moved to Moline, Kansas in 1927 and then to Sedan in 1928. Irene was raised and received her education in Sedan, graduating from Sedan High School in 1937. She then attended St. Mary's School of Nursing, graduating with a degree as a Registered Nurse.

Irene was united in marriage to H.L. Pat Kunkel in November of 1939, in Miami, Oklahoma. The couple made their home in the Winfield area where Irene worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Mary's and later for a short time as a home health care nurse. She then went to work at William Newton Hospital, where she remained for over 36 years until retiring in 1981. Mr. Kunkel preceded her in death on October 12, 1975.

Irene married Robert "Bob" Kearns on January 22, 1983 at Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield. The couple remained in the Winfield area. In 1986 they purchased Bob's True Value Hardware in Winfield. They owned and operated the hardware store until selling it in 2004.

She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, St. Mary's Alumni, the Friendly Club, and the Women's Bowling Association. She enjoyed bowling, gardening, sewing, cats, and she especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

Her family includes:
Her husband: Bob of the home;
Her sons: Steve Kunkel and wife, Judy of Winfield; Kody Kearns and wife, Michelle of Henderson, NV;
Her daughters: Teresa Young and husband, Melvin of Maple City; Kollene Hudson and husband, Mike of Winfield;
Her brother: Richard Potter, and wife Pat of Sedan;
Her sister: Ella Mae Denick and husband, Forrest of Alamogordo, NM;
Her grandchildren: Misti Baker; Clayton Young; Jennifer Sorensen; Eric Hall; Bradley Clarkson; Kaitlyn Kearns; Grace Mortero; Kristopher Young; Abigail Kearns;
Her 6 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband Pat, Irene was preceded in death by her sister Maxine Breece.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 07, 2011 at Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Thursday, January 06, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. The family will greet visitors from 5 to 7 that evening.

Memorials have been established in Irene's name for Grace United Methodist Church, the Central and Western Alzheimer's Association, and for the William Newton Hospital Nursing Scholarship. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.