Elizabeth "Betty" Loraine Irick

Elizabeth "Betty" Loraine Irick, of Prague, passed away on Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at the age of 91. Betty was born on April 19, 1932 in Paden, Oklahoma. She was the 10th child of eleven born to Marion Braxton and Etta Mae (Davis) Eaton. Betty grew up in Paden and was a graduate of Paden High School. In June 1950, Betty married John Lee Irick of Paden. John and Betty began building their family home, raising six children. Betty was a dedicated member of the Paden Church of Christ for all the years she lived in Paden.

Together, the family owned and operated their own dairy farm. Betty was known for hard work and she set a daily example for her children about work ethic. Betty was responsible for digging the family's cellar, the portions of the dairy barn and many other projects around the farm. Betty was also an avid gardener, she took great care to grow and can the numerous fruits and vegetables she tended to.

After years of working on the farm, Betty went back to school at Seminole State Junior College. She became a certified medical records coder Accreditation from the American Medical Records Association on April 7, 1979. She worked in this field for 15 years in hospitals in Okemah, Shawnee, Oklahoma City and in Liberal Kansas.

In her spare time, Betty enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk Show and Downton Abbey. She was also a skilled and avid dancer. She took many lessons in both ballroom and waltz. And waltzing was her absolute favorite dancing she loved to do.

We are all so proud of her accomplishments. She returned to Prague in 1995 and built her home debt free. Being a single women, she was determined to be self sufficient. She worked hard to have the home and landscape of her own making and dug every hole and planted every tree, shrub and flower on her property! She faithfully attended Church of Christ in Prague until her health began to fail her.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; son, John Merle Irick; son, Joe Don Irick, son-in-law, David Friend; brothers, Nelson Charles Eaton, Marion Barnes Eaton, Leslie Clarence Eaton, Cecil LeRoy Eaton, William “Bill” I. Eaton and sisters, Lois Dean White, Mamie Viola Hayes and Ruby Marguerite Carpenter.

She is survived by her sisters, Vera Louisa Dukes and Nancy Ellen Booth and her brother-in-law James “Clovis” Booth, her children,; Anita Carol Friend, Jeanne Beth Irick, LeEtta A. Conway and spouse, John Conway, Travis Andrew Irick, and daughters-in-law Judy Irick, Sherry Irick and Marenda Sue Webb Irick; son-in-law, Heda Nikdel. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.