Irene Mae Marie (Prior) Folta, 89, of Wellsville passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at St. Andrew's at New Florence.

Irene was born November 7, 1930 in Danville, Missouri, daughter of Samuel Edward and Hazel Marie (Jones) Prior.

Irene married Albert Joseph Folta, Jr. on October 21, 1950 in Montgomery City, Missouri. They celebrated more than 69 years of marriage together, before he preceded her in death on December 24, 2019. They were the parents of three sons. Irene and Jr. lived all of their lives in Wellsville.

Irene worked many years at the garment factory in Wellsville until it closed down. She then went to work at the Beacon Shoe Factory in Jonesburg, Missouri. She worked there until retirement.

She was a member of Resurrection Catholic Church in Wellsville. Irene was the President of the Women's Auxiliary for the Wellsville VFW Post 3056 for many years. She also served as a Cub Scout Den Leader in Wellsville.

Irene enjoyed cooking, gardening/canning, quilting, bingo, playing cards and hosting backyard cookouts. In her younger years she enjoyed bowling and dancing. She loved her family more than anything.

Irene is survived by three sons, Albert Joseph "Chub" Folta III, of Wellsville; George Edward (Thais) Folta, of Cresco, Iowa, and Ronald Dean Folta, of Villa Ridge; seven grandchildren, Tonya Coalwell of Columbia; Shawn Folta of Phoenix, Arizona; Lucas Folta of Jonesburg; Hailey Folta of Villa Ridge; Dana (Josh) Mills, and Jenni (Chip) Baltzelle, of Stafford, Virginia and Morgan Folta of Newbury, South Carolina; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; sisters Dorothy Whitehead, of Mexico and Sharon (Jerry) Janke, of Centralia; brother, George (Volita) Prior of Ohio and sister-in-law Iva Benskin of Wellsville.

She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Joseph Folta, Jr.; parents, Samuel and Hazel Prior; sister, Margaret Boyer and brothers, Charles, James, and William Prior.

Memorial Mass was at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 19, 2020at Church of the Resurrection in Wellsville. Father Bill Debo officiated, assisted by Deacon Ron Deimeke. Serving as organist was Palmyra Dubbert. Cantor was Brenda Hale.

Visitationwas held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service, Wednesday, at the church.

Inurnment was in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Wellsville.

Services were under the direction of the Myers Funeral Home in Wellsville.

Memorial contributions were suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital c/o Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.