Marian "Irene" Hanna was the oldest child of Elizabeth Winifred Jessie More (1897 -1965) and Arnold Herman Hanna (1898 -1948). Irene was born on February 14, 1921 in Pilot Grove Township, Faribault County, Minnesota. She spent most of her earlier years in Blue Earth, Minnesota and attended schools there, and graduated from Blue Earth High School. She taught in country school for awhile and then joined the WACS during World War II, and was stationed in France. During this time, she was married to James Wigal, but later divorced.

On May 23, 1952, Irene married Russell Caple (7/27/1929 - 9/4/2000), and they lived in Fairdale (Louisville), Jefferson County, Kentucky. They had two sons (Duane and Glenn).

Irene passed away on October 17, 1983 at age 62 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, and was buried at Mount Holly Cemetery in Fairdale, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Husband, Russell, passed away on September 4, 2000, and is buried near her at Mount Holly Cemetery as well.