Obituary of Irene Dyer

Irene Dyer, 87, died Sunday August 1, 2010 in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the arms of her son and daughter. Irene was a lifelong resident of Iowa City. Born at home, the first of five children, to George and Irene Alberhasky. Irene was nicknamed “Bunny” by her cousin Virginia when they were young girls and it stuck throughout her long life. She was proud to be in the first graduating class of newly built City High School and worked first as a waitress at Whetstones earning enough money to attend business school. When the war broke out she packed her bags for Long Beach, California where she worked as a messenger in the shipyards and danced to big band music with friends on the Pike. This is where she met her lifelong dancing partner, Gene Dyer. They returned to Iowa City to raise a family, build Bon-Aire Mobile Home Court and own the Airlane Motel. For 48 years Bunny took great pride in managing the Airlane which was a source of many true life stories she loved to share. After closing the motel Bunny lived downtown Iowa City where she enjoyed the summer music scene. She will always be cherished for her wisdom, humor and plain truth approach to life. Bunny’s family includes son Kurt Dyer and grandsons Travis and Taylor, Iowa City; daughter Vickie Abrahamson, Minneapolis, MN; grandson Tony Abrahamson, Burbank, CA; granddaughter Nedret and Adam Rix, great grandchildren Samuel and Astoria, St.Paul, MN She was preceded in death by husband Gene and Alberhasky siblings Tom, Joe, Fran, Audrey. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, August 6, 2010, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. There will be a visitation one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be at Memory Gardens, Iowa City. A reception following the burial will be at the home of longtime friend Isabelle Smith. The Irene “Bunny” Dyer Memorial Fund has been set-up through the Summer of the Arts in support of the Friday Night Concert Series; P.O.Box 3128, Iowa City, IA 52244. Online condolences for the family may be sent to vabrahamson@gmail.com or 117 Portland Avenue, #701, Minneapolis, MN 55401.