Manhattan--Irene Scruggs, 88, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2016 at the Meadowlark Hills Nursing Home in Manhattan, Kansas. She was born on April 6, 1927, the daughter of Frank and Rosa (Hertel) Dinkel in Victoria, Kansas.

Irene graduated from Victoria High School and then attended Marymount College in Salina where she received her Nursing Degree. She was in the Air Force Reserve and was activated to the Air Force from 1951 to 1952, serving at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. She worked as a registered nurse for over 30 years, retiring from the K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City. She had been a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and was committed to her husband Gene and her boys. She was also a member of several camping clubs and went camping or fishing almost every weekend with her family. In retirement she enjoyed gardening and caring for others at LaMont Hill in Vassar, KS. She even learned how to play golf and was awarded the most improved golfer of her league.

On November 19, 1952 Irene was married to Gene T. Scruggs in Victoria, Kansas.

Irene was preceded in death by Gene on August 22, 2007; by her parents; three brothers, Hilarius, Clarence and Edward; and by six sisters, Julitta Dechant, Bertha Prewo, Regina Dechant, Sister Francis Rose Dinkel, Rita Rohr and Melinda Griebel.

Irene is survived by her three sons, Paul (Tonya) Scruggs of Raleigh, N.C., David (Jane) Scruggs of Wamego and Mike (Mary Beth) Scruggs of Fairport Harbor, OH.; two brothers, George (Mary Ann) Dinkel and Father Harvey Dinkel OFM, all of Victoria; three sisters, Mary (Walter) Younker of Antonino, Viola Richmeier of Grinnell and Sister Paul Ann Dinkel of Fond Du Lac, WI.; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends starting at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 12 at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Osage City. Rosary will be at 10:30am and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am. Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Osage City with Air Force Honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Patrick Cemetery Fund, and the Meadowlark Hills Helping Hands Fund sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS. 66451.