Irene G. Collier

Irene Gernus Collier passed away on March 26, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on December 12, 1922, to parents, Michael and Margaret Gernus, in the small town of Clinton, Indiana.

After graduating from high school in Rockford, Illinois, Irene achieved her nursing training at St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in Rockford, Illinois, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UCLA, MA from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She was an avid student and attended schools all over the United States such as the University of Maryland, Department of Agricultural School in Washington, DC, USC Santa Rosa, CA, USC Riverdale, CA, Incarnate Word of San Antonio, Texas and San Antonio College. In May of 1948 Irene enlisted and served in the United States Air Force Nurses Corp for 26 ½ years as a General Duty Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, Flight Nurse, Nurse Recruiter and Military Personnel. She completed many overseas assignments and was stationed in Salzburg, Austria, Wiesbaden, Germany, Burderop, Germany and TDY: Alaska, Korea and Vietnam. Her last military assignment was as Director of Nursing at Wilford Hall Medical Center. After retiring from the Air Force, Irene taught for 13 years at San Antonio College. She spent her free time volunteering and serving her community through Citizens Patrol – Windcrest, Community Emergency Response Team, CPR Team – Alamo Heights United Methodist Church and was a Staff Officer of the Military Officer’s Association of America – Alamo Chapter.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, LTC Frank Collier; three brothers and a sister. She leaves behind several nieces and nephews in her extended family.