Irene M. (nee Riley) Gahagan, 93, of North Fond du Lac, formerly of Cascade, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2013, at Touchstone Living Center in North Fond du Lac.
She was born on February 3, 1920, on the Riley family homestead in the town of Farmington, the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (McKee) Riley, and in 1941 she was united in marriage to Thomas Gahagan at St. Michael's Catholic Church in the town of Mitchell. Thomas preceded Irene in death in 1983.
Irene was employed by the Kohler Company in Kohler for 28 years and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cascade. She was proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers, watching and feeding the birds.
Those Irene leaves behind to cherish her memory include three children, Dan (Margo) Gahagan of Fond du Lac, Gerald (Carol) Gahagan of Birmingham, Alabama and Sharon Fojut (special friend, Kenneth Moncrief) of Fond du Lac; a sister-in-law, Doris Riley of Gainesville, Florida; her godson, Kerry Fay of Boltonville; a special friend Deanna Uelmen of Cascade, nine grandchildren, Matt, Tom, Bridgette, Wendy, Gerilyn, Ryan, Amber, Hope and Tiffanny, 13 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband and parents, Irene was preceded in death by five brothers, Harold (Katherine), William (Clara), Frank (Anna Lee), Melvin (Loretta) and Gerald Riley and two sisters, Helen (Greg) Theusch and Mae "Mary" (Thomas) Fay.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Irene was held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2013, at St. John of God Catholic Chapel in the town of Farmington. Father Edwin Kornath officiated and burial was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Cascade.
Relatives and friends called at the chapel on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.
Memorials to St. John of God Catholic Chapel are appreciated.
The Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum was entrusted with Irene's arrangements.
Irene's family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Touchstone Living Center for the compassionate, attentive care provided to her.