Irene Thigpen Patton, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful servant of her church, died on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. She was born September 17, 1915 to Samuel and Viola Wilborne Thigpen in rural DeWitt County. She was the youngest of their twelve children. Irene began her career in San Antonio as a civilian administrative employee at Ft. Sam Houston. She then transferred to Cuero and worked at Foster Air Force Field until it closed. She later accepted a position with the City of Cuero, and then worked as the Church and Congregational Secretary for St. Mark's Lutheran Church from 1958 until 1987. Irene was an active member of Cuero's Pilot Club, the Five-Mile Extension Educational Association, the Cuero Community Hospital Auxiliary, and the Kopy Kats Social and Crafters' Club. For a number of years she also shared her talents and enjoyed the fellowship of many good friends in another Cuero Crafters' Group.

Irene is preceded in death by her first husband, Burson 'Pat' Patton; second husband, William H. Kleinecke; sisters, Constance Schorre, Julia Neely, Lee Smothers, Louise Brantley, Berniece Daniel, and Gladys Biggs; and brothers, Joe, Edward, Louis, and Burton Thigpen, and an infant brother who died at birth.

Irene is survived by her two sons, Burson Samuel 'Pat' Patton and wife, Barba Aldis Patton, of Mission Valley and Robert Edward 'Bob' Patton and wife, Mary Jo Baier Patton, of San Marcos; grandchildren, Keith Patton and wife, Yvonne, Craig Patton and wife, Melissa, Todd Patton and wife, Tracey, Robert Edward Patton, Jr. and wife Helen, and William 'Bill' Patton; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Rhiannon, Stephanie, Michelle, Carissa, Maddison, and Crockett; step-grandchildren, Christina, Travis, and Brittany; and many nieces and nephews. Bob Kleinecke is remembered with fond affection.

Chapel services will be held at Freund Funeral Home on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Karl Biermann of St. Mark's Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Hebron Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.