Irene Marcella Aaker Brewer, homemaker, music enthusiast and long-time area resident, died Wednesday at her home northeast of Carthage. She would have been 97 on April 12. She and her husband, Archie, lived in their historic Maple Lane Farm home, which they moved to from Norway, Kan., in 1961. They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on Feb. 24. Mrs. Brewer had been hospitalized twice in recent weeks with age-related illnesses, but had not lost her sense of humor and still knew members of her extensive family and friends. Mrs. Brewer was born in Seattle, Wash., in 1918, the daughter of the Rev. V.O. and Emma Aaker. At her confirmation, she was given the middle name of Magdalene. She studied voice at a music conservatory in Fargo, N.D., where she sang on local radio station WDAY. The well-known singer Peggy Lee was then a receptionist at the station and she and Mrs. Brewer became friends. Later in Atchison, Kan., she had a weekly radio program called "15 Minutes With Smiles." She met her husband in Norway, Kan., where her father was a Lutheran minister. During World War II, Mrs. Brewer joined the ranks of "Rosie the Riveter," helping manufacture military aircraft windshields at a plant near Glendale, Calif., where Archie was stationed in the Army Air Force. After the war they returned to Norway to farm. Mrs. Brewer was a frequent soloist in her church and at weddings and funerals. She continued to pursue musical interests after they moved to the Carthage area, including being in the choir of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Carthage Music Devotees. She also played piano and organ. Even late in life, Mrs. Brewer sang for her family and as recently as early March gave a strong rendition of one of her wedding songs, "Because." Besides her husband, survivors include six children, Norman (Judy) of Bethesda, Md., Vallie Cook of Carl Junction, Renie (Doug) Wilson of Chicago, Mark of Carthage (Julie Winter, significant other), Mary Ellen (Phil)Morgan of Manhattan, Kan., and Joe of West Plains, Mo. (Laurie Harris, fiancé).; an informally adopted son Michael "Butch" Taft (Charlene) of Harbor City, Calif.; a sister, Ordelle M. Aaker of Joplin; and 47 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 8975 County Lane 170. The funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday at the church, followed by interment at Hackney Cemetery northeast of Carthage. The family suggests memorials to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers.