Although her given name was Lorena Letitia, she adopted the name Irene Louise Getty in her adult life although she was called Rena by close relatives. She was born August 1, 1870 in Forest Home Township of Emmet County. Her parents were William, Sr and Adeline (Baird) Getty.

She was involved in education all her life as a teacher and then as Kalkasa County School Commissioner. Lorena was a graduate of Michigan State Normal School in Mt Pleasant, Michigan (now Central Michigan University).

She was involved in the Kalkaska Ladies' Concert Band and was the Grand Worthy Matron of the Michigan Order Eastern Star.

Lorena died on August 4, 1934 at her home in Kalkaska at the age of 64 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in that town.
 

Not to be confused with her niece,  Irene Louise (Getty) Revelle, the daughter of her brother William J., Jr and Lizzie (Woodfind) Getty..

"...Irene devoted her entire life to educational work. Irene graduated from Michigan State Normal College [now Central Michigan University] at Mt. Pleasant in 1893. She never married. She taught school for many years, was director of Kalkaska County Normal School, member of the Kalkaska Ladies' Concert Band, County School Commissioner, and Grand Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star."

KALKASKA TEACHER GIVES HER BLOOD
TO SAVE THE LIFE OF HER FRIEND
SUCCESS IS ASSURED
1920
The entire County of Kalkaska is watching with personal interest, the result of a blood transfusion case at Johnson hospital, Traverse City, in which Miss Beatrice Jenkins, one of Kalkaska's most popular teachers, gave of her blood to save the life of Irene Louise Getty, county school commissioner of Kalkaska county.

Miss Getty has been in the hospital here since early spring, suffering from marked anemia. When it was learned that blood transfusion might save her life, numerous

of her Kalkaska friends offered to give of their own blood. Tests were made and Miss Jenkins was found to be best fitted to help.

The transfusion took place Sunday at Johnson hospital, when 200 centimeters of blood was transferred from Miss Jenkins to Miss Getty. Splendid results are anticipated, the result of the transfusion, and Miss Getty has showed remarkable improvement. Miss Jenkins has returned to Kalkaska.