Irene (Rogers) Hatch was born on June 13, 1906, in Lehi (now Mesa), Maricopa County, Arizona Territory, the daughter of Myra (Sanders) and Isaac H. Rogers. She graduated from Mesa Union High School in 1925.

Irene married Charles “Jenner” Hatch (1905-1966) in the Mesa Arizona Temple on January 13, 1928. The couple was blessed with seven children: Duane Leroy Hatch, (1929-2012); Lorraine (Hatch) Smith; David Hatch; Darrell Hatch; and Von Hatch, as well as Roger Kay Hatch, (1931-1931) and Shirley Ann Hatch, (1943-1944), who died as infants.  Irene and Charles were long-time residents of Chino Valley, Arizona, where they raised their family. While living in Chino, Jenner farmed. He served six and a half years as president of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).

In 1951, the family left Chino Valley and moved to Prescott where Jenner was employed in public service.  In 1958, they were transferred to Flagstaff where Jenner served as a bishop of the church.

Irene’s three passions were entertaining, growing roses and other flowers and serving her church. As a lifelong and dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she held various positions in all of the church auxiliaries.  She especially enjoyed her time serving with her husband in the Cub Scout organization and teaching primary school levels.

She was also a skilled gardener.  According to an article in the Prescott Evening Courier on September 4, 1956, she won accolades for her roses at the Yavapai County Fair.

After her husband’s unexpected death in January 1966, Irene returned to Prescott. She worked part time for the Watters Garden Center, where she shared her love and knowledge of gardening.  In 1993, she moved to her daughter Lorraine Smith’s home in Murray, Utah, and enjoyed attending the Salt Lake and Jordan River temples several days a week.

Irene died peacefully at home in Murray on September 27, 2011, at the age of 105. Funeral services were held for her at the Murray LDS Church. Her body was returned to Arizona, and graveside services were held in Chino Valley, where she was buried.

Irene had twenty-four grandchildren, sixty great-grandchildren and twenty-three great-great-grandchildren.

Donor: Ann Tewksbury, friend, October 2011
Photo Located: I-Drive>Rose Garden Photos & Bios>RG TIFF Portraits>Hatch, Irene (Rogers)
Updated: 10/30/2015, Gretchen Hough Eastman