Obituary
Irene Mallnee (Pehrson) Hughes
October 16th, 1940 - February 12th, 2023
Irene Mallnee (Pehrson) Hughes passed away peacefully in her home on February 12, 2023.
She was Born on October 16, 1940 in Driggs, Idaho. The first child of Junior Glen and Mallnee (Olsen) Pehrson. She grew up in the Teton Valley and graduated from Driggs High School and Seminary in 1958.
Irene met and married Kenneth A. Wahnschaffe from Blackduck MN. On January 6, 1960 in Elko NV. Ken was stationed at the AEC Site (INL) in Idaho Falls, ID. for nuclear submarine training with the U.S. Navy when they met.
Life in the Navy was an adventure moving from Naval Base to Naval Base. From this union they had four children, Kelly Robertson of Rigby, ID., Kenneth G (Christi) of Prosper, TX., Steven (Shauna) of Rigby ID., and Royce (JaNae) of Pleasant Grove, UT. Ken and Irene would later divorce.
Irene chose to raise her family in the Lost River Valley, where her parents had purchased the Pass Creek Ranch in 1958, making her home in Moore, ID. With the help of her parents, she was able to open and operate an Adult Foster Care Home. She was an active member of the community, serving as Moore City Councilman, and a Butte County EMT. She loved to bowl and received Bowler of The Year, several times at the Lost River Bowl.
In May of 1987 she purchased the Rigby Country Living Center, and move to Rigby, ID. She would later sale this business and retire from the Health Care Industry. She met and married Charles (Chuck) Hughes on August 10, 1988, and six new children joined her family. Clay (Trisha), Jeffery (Elizabeth), Heather (Larin), Carmen (Eddy), Robert (Sabrina), and Brittney (Shane). They were married for 33 years before his passing in October of 2021.
Irene was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving faithfully in the Young Women’s, Relief Society, and Cub Scouts. She was also a member of The Daughters of The Utah Pioneers, serving as Captain of the Dorian Camp for six years. She loved to travel, camp, and was always found planning some new adventure with her family. Her prosperity includes 33 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, brother Dorain Waldo Pehrson, Nephew Jade Douglas Pehrson, and Husband Charles Edward Hughes.
Services will be held on Saturday February 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at the Rigby 22th Ward Chaple, 401 west 1 st South, Rigby ID. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:45 am., prior to services.
Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m., in Tetonia, Idaho, at the Cache Clawson Cemetery. Condolences can be shared with the family at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.
