After years of night school and summer school, Irene graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from UW-La Crosse in 1973. Between 1968 and 1982, Irene taught second grade at Wyeville, a job she truly loved. In retirement, Irene traveled to several countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East as well as all around the United States. Then in 1991 and for the next 24 years, Irene joined with United Methodist Corps of Relief: Volunteers in Mission who for two-to three-week stints helped in areas recovering from hurricanes, floods, tornados and other disasters. Her work camps took her to Maine, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, and many more places including here in Wisconsin. Irene completed 63 missions, all at her own expense, finishing at age 98.
Irene served her Tomah community as a hard-working volunteer in the United Methodist Women, the Monroe County Retired Teachers, the Lionesses organization, the Neighbor for Neighbor Food Pantry, and other good causes as they arose.
Family and friends were very important to Irene. She made it a point to stay in touch with relatives and to connect with friends near and far. Cards, letters, phone calls, and visits were her rewards. Irene loved music and liked to dance, which she did at her 100th birthday party. Among Irene’s favorites were daily devotions, flowers, birds, little children, family history, many bus trips, the Ranch, fishing excursions at Chesapeake Bay, Branson trips especially Danny O’Donnell, annual WREA (retired teachers) conventions, the trailer at Castle Rock Lake, hat luncheons, parties, her daily and weekly newspapers, the Chinese Buffet and egg drop soup, Black Forest cake, and oysters. Irene was a strong independent woman who did things her way and led a rich, full life.
Aunt Irene cherished her nieces and nephews and their families. She is survived by Richard (Valerie) Wadephul, Joyce Harris, Donna Vian, Judy Abendroth, Diane (Roy) Kirk, Frank (Doreen) Wadephul, Sylvia Ann (Matt) Felber, Jean Liefke, John (Adella) Wadephul, Lowell (Arlys) Zellmer and Stanley (Ruth) Zellmer. She is further survived by nephews-in-law Walter Felt and Dale Roscovius, as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews, friends and other relatives.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ray, her brothers Morton (Ida) and Clarence (Doris) Wadephul, her sister Dorothy (Ed) Zellmer, nieces, Shirley Kuehl, Dawn Roscovius, and Jerelyn Zellmer Felt along with many dear friends.
Services for and a celebration of Irene’s life will be held at a later date, tentatively set for next summer.
The family wishes to thank Charles and Sara Beck, Diana Neal, Nona Smith, and all of her wonderful neighbors and friends who made it possible for Irene to remain in her home almost until the end.
Torkelson Funeral Home
Census Info:
In the 1920 census, she was living in Wilton, Monroe, Wisconsin with her parents, Frank and Mary, and siblings, Morton, Clarence, and Dorethy. She was listed as a 2-year-old, single, white female.
In 1930, she was living in Wilton, Monroe, Wisconsin with her parents, Frank G. and Mary E., and brother, Clarence C. She was listed as a 12-year-old, single, white female.
In 1936, she completed teacher's training.
In 1940, she was living in Tomah, Monroe, Wisconsin with her husband, Raymond J. She was listed as a 22-year-old, married, white female.
After years of night school and summer school, Irene graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from UW-La Crosse in 1973. Between 1968 and 1982, Irene taught second grade at Wyeville, a job she truly loved. In retirement, Irene traveled to several countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East as well as all around the United States. Then in 1991 and for the next 24 years, Irene joined with United Methodist Corps of Relief: Volunteers in Mission who for two-to three-week stints helped in areas recovering from hurricanes, floods, tornados and other disasters. Her work camps took her to Maine, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, and many more places including here in Wisconsin. Irene completed 63 missions, all at her own expense, finishing at age 98.
Irene served her Tomah community as a hard-working volunteer in the United Methodist Women, the Monroe County Retired Teachers, the Lionesses organization, the Neighbor for Neighbor Food Pantry, and other good causes as they arose.
Family and friends were very important to Irene. She made it a point to stay in touch with relatives and to connect with friends near and far. Cards, letters, phone calls, and visits were her rewards. Irene loved music and liked to dance, which she did at her 100th birthday party. Among Irene’s favorites were daily devotions, flowers, birds, little children, family history, many bus trips, the Ranch, fishing excursions at Chesapeake Bay, Branson trips especially Danny O’Donnell, annual WREA (retired teachers) conventions, the trailer at Castle Rock Lake, hat luncheons, parties, her daily and weekly newspapers, the Chinese Buffet and egg drop soup, Black Forest cake, and oysters. Irene was a strong independent woman who did things her way and led a rich, full life.
Aunt Irene cherished her nieces and nephews and their families. She is survived by Richard (Valerie) Wadephul, Joyce Harris, Donna Vian, Judy Abendroth, Diane (Roy) Kirk, Frank (Doreen) Wadephul, Sylvia Ann (Matt) Felber, Jean Liefke, John (Adella) Wadephul, Lowell (Arlys) Zellmer and Stanley (Ruth) Zellmer. She is further survived by nephews-in-law Walter Felt and Dale Roscovius, as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews, friends and other relatives.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ray, her brothers Morton (Ida) and Clarence (Doris) Wadephul, her sister Dorothy (Ed) Zellmer, nieces, Shirley Kuehl, Dawn Roscovius, and Jerelyn Zellmer Felt along with many dear friends.
Services for and a celebration of Irene’s life will be held at a later date, tentatively set for next summer.
The family wishes to thank Charles and Sara Beck, Diana Neal, Nona Smith, and all of her wonderful neighbors and friends who made it possible for Irene to remain in her home almost until the end.
Torkelson Funeral Home
Census Info:
In the 1920 census, she was living in Wilton, Monroe, Wisconsin with her parents, Frank and Mary, and siblings, Morton, Clarence, and Dorethy. She was listed as a 2-year-old, single, white female.
In 1930, she was living in Wilton, Monroe, Wisconsin with her parents, Frank G. and Mary E., and brother, Clarence C. She was listed as a 12-year-old, single, white female.
In 1936, she completed teacher's training.
In 1940, she was living in Tomah, Monroe, Wisconsin with her husband, Raymond J. She was listed as a 22-year-old, married, white female.
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