Irene was born on August 29, 1911, in Shelby County, Missouri, to John and Virginia Smith Wallis. She was raised on the family farm and attended rural school. In 1927, she moved to moved to rural Poweshiek County near Grinnell. On December 11, 1929. she was married to Virgil M. Broders in Newton, Iowa. The couple operated a grain and livestock farm in the Grinnell area. After their retirement in 1975, they moved into Grinnell. Irene was a faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Grinnell and the Mary Martha Circle of the church. She enjoyed life on the farm as well as gardening, sewing, quilting and cheering for the Chicago Cubs. Survivors include her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; four brothers, Archie, Monroe, Charlie and John Wallis; and three sisters, Iva Churchwell, Lizzie Allen and Opal Wallis. Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church of Grinnell.