Irene I. Schlefke, (nee Freund), age 86, of West Bend, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2010 at Tri-Manor in West Bend.
She was born on October 16, 1923 in St. Peter in Fond du Lac County to the late Louis and Alma (nee Steffen) Freund. On April 29, 1942, Irene was united in marriage to Arthur Schlefke at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend. Arthur preceded her in death on June 9, 1999.
Irene was a member of Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church. She loved her golf and was a former Hon-E-Kor Champion. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family.
She is survived by her two children, Mary (William) Lutz of West Bend and Ronald (Katherine) Schlefke of Nekoosa; four grandchildren, Deborah (Jon) Swenson of West Bend, Robert (Stephanie) Konstanz of West Bend, Joseph (Erik Holmgren) Schlefke of St. Paul, MN and Jennifer (Jason Herther) Schlefke of West Bend; two step-grandchildren, Rick (Gayleen) Lutz of Campbellsport, and Lori (Jeff) Wendt of Fond du Lac; five great-children, Erik, Andy, Jessica, Danielle and Nicholas, four step-great-grandchildren, Emily, Alex, Brayden and Kaillyn; one brother, Harold (Dorothy) Freund of Dotyville; two sisters, Edna (Frank) Amhrein of Fond du Lac and Bernie (Leo) Gruenke of Palm Springs, CA; two sisters-in-law, Helen (David) Leiknes of Watertown and Ruby Hasenfus of Beaver Dam; other relatives and dear friends.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arthur; her beloved grandson, Scott Schlefke; three sisters, Marcella Woelfel, Marie Liebe and Stella Beaudreau and four brothers, Francis, Aloysius, Norman and Ervin.
Funeral services in remembrance of Irene will be held on Monday, January 18th at 6:00 pm at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home (1315 W. Washington Street) West Bend. Pastor Robert Hein of Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church will officiate. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 3:00 pm until the time of the services. Burial will take place Tuesday, January 19th at 10:00 am in Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials in Irene's name to the Good Shepherd Choir are appreciated by the family.
The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff at Tri-Manor, Heartland Hospice and especially Dr. Sajdak, for the wonderful care extended to Irene. You are all the best care angels anyone could have.