Mildred Irene Whitlock, 89, died January 11th at the Cedars care facility in McPherson, Kansas.
Irene was a force of nature, breaking barriers and making a tangible impact in Republican politics. Her husband, Donald Eugene Whitlock, passed forty years earlier. Together they ran Don’s Studio and Camera Shop on Main Street in McPherson for 27 years.
Irene was born on May 7, 1933, in Augusta, Kansas, and grew up on her grandparents’ farm outside of town. She moved into Augusta at the age of six to start school, living with her aunt and uncle, Garnett and Oscar Nitz, just two doors down from a 10-year-old Don Whitlock.
Irene and Don soon would become best friends, even though Don would consistently beat her at marbles. Her uncle, “Unkie”, expressed his concerns about having to keep buying her marbles just so she could lose them to “that boy.” Irene and Don were the classic childhood sweethearts, living through World War II together as kids.
After their marriage on June 3, 1951, they opened a camera shop in Augusta, before moving with their two young sons to McPherson, Kansas, in 1956.
Irene started her political career in 1968, helping Bob Dole in his first run for the United States Senate. She would drive Bob around the state for events, ending back in McPherson where he was welcomed into the family home and given a place to sleep. That same year, she worked for Rick Harmon’s campaign for governor. In 1971, she was director of Kansas’ 4th District Federation of Republican Women. Expanding her reach, in 1972 she was asked to be the state campaign director for President Richard Nixon’s campaigns in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Kansas, later celebrating his win in the Rose Garden.
From 1974 to 1977, she was executive director of the Kansas Republican Party, becoming not only the first woman executive director for Kansas, but also the first in any state. She was never aware of breaking these barriers, but instead just did her job as best she could. But she would plow through anyone who got in her way. Irene was also director of Bob Storey’s campaign for Kansas Attorney General and Jeffries’ campaign for United States Congressman. Her last campaign was State Director of the Texas Telephone campaign for Reagan-Bush in 1980.
The loss of her husband at such an early age put an end to her campaigning, but she continued in politics, working as district administrator for Congressman Bob Whittaker from 1983 to 1990. Irene was active in the Business and Professional Women’s Club, serving as President of the McPherson BPW in 1959, and district director in 1962.
She also was active in the American Red Cross from 1964 to 1985, serving as secretary and a member of the board of directors. Additionally, Irene served on the board for the McPherson Arts Counsel in the 1970s and on the board of the Mingenback Family Life Center.
Twenty years following her husband’s death, Irene reconnected with Don’s best friend, Stan Cabrales, Las Vegas, whose wife had recently passed. Stan subsequently moved back to McPherson and he and Irene were constant companions for the next twelve years.
Irene is survived by her two sons, Donald Wayne (Connie) of Topeka and Stephen Allen of McPherson; granddaughters Amber Smith (Adam) and Lindsey Best, of Topeka. She had two great-granddaughters, Olivia and Amelia Smith, and 2 step-great-grandsons, Marcus Smith and Colin Best. Even with all her accomplishments, her family was always the most important thing in her life. She was so proud of what they had all become.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 20 at the gravesite at McPherson Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life service at First Baptist Church, 600 E. Marlin, McPherson. A luncheon will be provided at the church immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Kansas Food Bank or to the McPherson Museum, in care of Wiggins Funeral Homes, 222 W. Euclid, McPherson, KS 67460.