Irene H. Alseth

Irene “Rene” Alseth, 98, of Yakima, Washington went to be with her Heavenly Father on March 16, 2026.  She passed away peacefully at rest with her two daughters by her side.

Irene was born in Menomonie Wisconsin June 25, 1927 to Helmer and Edna (Nelson) Solberg.  The family lived on a dairy farm.  As a young child, Rene helped her mother with cooking and baking.  She enjoyed riding horses, going to school, and working around the dairy.  At age seventeen she met her husband Bob through her brother Marv.  Bob loved taking Rene for rides on his 1946 Harley Davidson motorcycle.  He then purchased a Harley of her own and taught her how to ride it.  Together they rode their bikes nearly every day.  Bob and Rene were married in Stillwater Minnesota on May 20, 1946.  Shortly thereafter Bob served in the military.   Upon his honorable discharge from the army, Bob and Rene along with her family moved to Sunnyside Washington.  They started their family of 3 children in 1951.  They built their dream home in 1960 with 5 acres on South Hill Road in Sunnyside.  They filled the land with Black Angus cattle, horses, chickens, a pig, and lots of dogs over the years.  Their home was open to all their kids’ friends and was well known as the place to be in the neighborhood. 

The family attended worship service nearly every Sunday at Calvary Lutheran Church.  Rene was the Junior Choir Director and sang with the Senior Choir.  She sang solos regularly.  She made sure her children were baptized and confirmed in the church.  She taught bible study and helped organize Summer Bible Camp.  She either volunteered or was asked to help with many activities.  Rene’s values were centered around her strong Christian faith. When they moved to Yakima, Bob and Rene became members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  Her daughters periodically attended church with them.

The family traveled to many destinations, but their favorite spot was to spend 2 weeks in Cannon Beach for summer vacations.

Rene was a stay-at-home mom.  She enjoyed gardening.  Her roses could be known as award winning.  She loved her favorite color purple iris plants.  She greeted her children getting off the bus and spent time teaching them to be responsible for cleaning up their rooms, working in the fields, taking care of their animals and learning how to make meals from scratch.  She liked incorporating Norwegian baked and cooked recipes.  All of her kids sang, played guitar, and one played piano.  They were almost the Von Trapp family singers.  They entertained at many family events.  Rene also found a little time for herself.  She and her mother Edna bowled in league at Valley Lanes twice a week.  Their team was Heart T Bar Appaloosa.  She was quite the bowler.  She also took golf lessons with her friend Betty.

When her youngest was in 6th grade, Rene went to work part time as a bookkeeper for Ford Motor Company.  She enhanced her accounting skills by attending college courses. Bob started his business Bob Rents and Repairs in 1967.  Rene handled all the bookkeeping for his business.  She was then hired to do administrative work for the Police Department and later became the accounting supervisor at the City for 23 years and retired at age 62.  Bob sold his business so he and Rene could be free to travel.  They always wanted to return to riding motorcycles in their retirement years.  They purchased their first Honda 1500 Gold Wing and traveled to every state in the country as well as across Canada.  They retired that bike and bought another new bike.  They gave up riding when Bob was 85. 

They also enjoyed cruises and visited 8 European countries.

In 1994 the couple sold their ranch home and moved to Sun Country Estates in Yakima.  In December of 2018 they settled into Fieldstone Orchard West independent living.  Rene immediately began lobbying to start a resident choir.  She succeeded.  Today the choir has grown and puts on performances for the residents and their families.  Last Christmas her two daughters joined her to sing White Christmas.  Rene still had an angelic soprano voice.  Additionally, she was the cornhole queen many times.  She went to exercise class routinely.  She took trips on the Fieldstone bus to many destinations.  She participated in art projects, played Bingo and went to Marv’s Gospel hour as well as attending the musical performances the facility lined up.  She planted and took care of her garden box from Spring through Fall.

Rene is preceded in death by her brother Marv, sister Georgiana, her son Jerry, and her husband Bob.

She is survived by daughters Bobbi (Lisa) Connie (Mike) grandson Tyler (Stacy) granddaughter Krista, great grandchildren Ella (Cole), Sadie, Gunnar, Payton, Imani, and Luciano.  Nieces and Nephew, Kari (Jim), Lori (Dan), Sheri (Brad), Dan (Debra), and Danella.

VISITATION

Sunday

March 22, 2026

4:00 PM TO 5:00 PM

Smith Funeral Home

528 South 8th Street

Sunnyside, WA  98944
 

Graveside Service

Monday
March 23, 2026
1:00 PM
Lower Valley Memorial Gardens
7800 Van Belle Road
Sunnyside, WA 98944

Memorial Service AND CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Thursday
March 26, 2026
11:00 AM

Refreshments after service

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

801 Tieton Drive
Yakima, WA. 98902

In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to the Humane Society or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the care givers at Fieldstone Orchard West, the team from Hospice, and all her many friends who loved her. Those wishing to sign Rene’s online memorial may do so at https://www.funeralhomesmith.com/ 

Smith Funeral Home in care of arrangement. Those wishing to sign Irene's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com 

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