Geneva Irene Nuss, age 99, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 30, 2022, surrounded by her family at Chisholm Place in Wichita, Kansas. Irene, or Grandma, as so many of us knew her by, was the kindest and most giving person who ever lived. She never knew a stranger and made friends wherever life took her.
She was a wonderful woman who led an extraordinary life. An artistic woman who tackled many different mediums in the name of art. Art would forever be one of her passions in her life. She worked primarily with china and ceramics, but nothing was off limits. She was an avid china painter. As well as working in oil paints and watercolors to paint many a landscape, animals, and especially birds. She even tackled textile painting in the early years. She would blend many of her talents to create something unique including jewelry. For the love of this art, Irene even insisted in bringing her kiln along with her to her assisted living arrangements when she left her final home in Derby causing the facility to run a dedicated electric line for the kiln.
Irene had her own ceramic shop in Udall, Kansas where many came to work on and learn the art of ceramics. In her later years, she would teach ceramics for different recreational programs and would host china painting classes for friends and colleagues. Her oil paintings are showcased in many a home and business and coveted by her family. She painted for the love of art until her body no longer allowed her to continue.
Irene loved her family, friends, art, and flowers more than anything else. No matter where Irene would live the place would blossom with flowers. She would plant year after year, more and more flowers. She just loved the colors and loved when they attracted cardinals and blue jays.
Her love of family was endless. She would shower every family member with hugs, love, and smiles till she could no more. Everyone called her grandma no matter how they knew her. It was a very normal thing for the family to share her with the world.
Irene was born to Charles Fredrick Allison & Edna May Vernon in Sharon, Oklahoma on May 20, 1923. They lived in many a place during those years as the dust bowl and great depression years took hold.
In 1940, Irene met and married Arnold David Stewart. They went on to have 3 children, Darrell, David, and Dwane. While that union didn’t last, she did not let that get her down. She met another and married Ownus Kilts who brought 4 sons into the marriage, Larry, Jerry, Gary, and Joe. After a lengthy marriage, he preceded her in death in 1973. Irene later met and married Kenneth Nuss who also proceeds her in death in 1989.
Although Irene is known for her many artistic talents, she was most passionate about family and friends. Being a grandma was one of her proudest accomplishments. At her passing she had 31 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, 63 great-great grandchildren, and 7 great-great-great grandchildren. This fact would have filled her heart with so much joy.
Family was everything to her! Rarely did anyone “leave” the family. She would continue to welcome the in-laws that became “out-laws” into the fold; often with their new spouses and children in tow. That was just Irene! Her family continued to grow to the point they outgrew every home in the family so she built a room that could house the family for events and when not in use for us, her china painting friends.
Irene never quit living her life! She lived through many a trying time and saw a lot in her 99 years, 7 months and 10 days. Born May 20, 1923, she almost made it to 100 years young. Life will certainly be different without (Grandma) Irene in it. She will be missed, and she is forever in everyone’s hearts.
She is preceded in death by her parents, twin brothers, sister (Gwenny Weir), husband (Ownus Kilts and Kenneth Nuss), son (Darrell Stewart), and stepsons (Larry Kilts, Jerry Kilts, and Gary Kilts).
She is survived by sons David (Charlotte) Stewart, Dwane (Asonjia) Stewart, Joe (Audrey) Kilts, along with the aforementioned 31 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, 63 great-great grandchildren, 7 great-great-great grandchildren.
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