Irene Mary Tool was born on August 5, 1916 in Elm Creek, Nebraska to John and Hazel Else. Irene was the only daughter, with three brothers, Floyd, Roy and Arthur. Irene and her brothers attended a one-room country school until 8th grade, when they attended the school ?in town?, where Irene graduated. She attended Kearney Normal Training School in Kearney, Nebraska for one year, qualifying to be a teacher. She taught in a one-room school house with 18 students for two years, boarding with the families of her students. Irene married Leonard Tool on April 24, 1937. In 1943, the family moved to California where Leonard worked in the shipyards as a welder for the duration of the war. The family came to the Tri-Cities in 1953 where Leonard found work at Hanford. They resided in the Hanford Trailer Court until it closed. Irene was a homemaker. She was an avid bowler, belonging to leagues in Pasco and Kennewick for many years. She was a charter member of Ladies Auxiliary 106 to Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 598, serving as President and as other officers. She also supported Leonard when he was the Sick Call Committee for Local 598, often going with him to visit sick, elderly or recovering union members and their families, many times bringing cakes that Irene had baked. Irene?s favorite pastime was playing pinochle. She was one of the founding members of the pinochle club that played for 47 years, remaining active in it until weeks before her death. Some of her other interests included playing cards, playing bingo, baking pies and writing letters. She crocheted numerous baby afghans for grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and relatives and sold many that warmed countless babies. Irene was a breast cancer survivor. She moved to Hawthorne Court Assisted Living five years ago, where she was able to remain independent in her homey apartment until weeks before her death. Irene went to meet her Lord on November 23, 2007 surrounded by her loving family after 91 good years. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leonard; brothers; and infant daughter. She is survived by daughter Patty Larry Braaten; son Roger Ellen Tool; grandchildren Christopher Tool, Brian Wendy Tool, Noni Tom Serrao, Laura Tom Clifton, Cheryl Dale Hastings; great-grandchildren Ryan Rider, Ashley Bruner, Courtney, Isaiah, Benjamin, Josiah, Caleb, Whitney, & baby-to-be-born Clifton, Sarah, Amy & Hannah Hastings, Dillon, Dustin, Brendan, Kaitlin & Meagan Tool; and great-great-grandchildren Isaiah Rider & Jordan Sharp. She is also survived by her special niece Joan Loel Kugler; and sisters-of-the-heart Kathleen DeBord, Mary Zilar, Mary Surplus and Nyla VanEnkevort. Viewing will be held Thursday, November 29th, 1pm to 8pm, at Mueller?s Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union Street in Kennewick. Memorial Services will be held Friday, November 30th, 1:00pm, at Mueller?s Tri-Cities Funeral Home with Interment to follow at Desert Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice, 2108 West Entiat Avenue, Kennewick, Washington 99336. To view the Funeral Services at the time of the Funeral or after, please go to the link below. Below is the URL for viewing the event. http://www.eventbywire.com/ViewBroadcast/?EventID\=1080 Launch in external player