Irving Koren, 88, of Eden, WI, died Thursday, June 30, 2011 at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home, after a brief illness. He was born August 5, 1922, in Waupaca, Wisconsin a son of Carl and Sylvia Spiegel Cohen. Irving grew up in Waupaca where he helped his parents run an egg business. He graduated from Waupaca High School and served with the United States Navy during World War II, aboard the LSM 52 and later the LSM 139. He took part in seven invasions, including Lingayen Gulf, Bataan, Leyte, and Corregidor. Irving participated in a World War II Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, DC in 2010.
On May 19, 1946, he married Hilda Kula in Waupaca. Irving was a member of Temple Beth Israel, Fond du Lac, Jewish War Veterans, B.P.O.E. Lodge #57, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Eden Gun Club. As an entrepreneur, Irving owned multiple businesses throughout his life including Koren Enterprise, Co-Ord, Master Source, River’s Edge Gallery, and was a partner in Dutch’s Sport Shop, all located in Fond du Lac. He administrated, along with his wife Hilda, a cooperative group buying program for over 500 Shakey’s Pizza Parlor locations. He was the executive director of the International Franchise Association, and administered a group buying program for the International Union of Gospel Missions and Christian Camping International. He was also a past member of the Wisconsin Association of Nursing Homes. Irving was the co-developer of the Overland Heights subdivision in the Town of Empire. Irving also served several terms as treasurer for the Wisconsin Alliance for the Mentally Ill, founder of Twin Lakes Fishing Association, and a past member of the Board of Trustees of Marian University. Irving lived a robust life and had many interests including gourmet cooking, traveling, fishing, hunting, and reading. He was the consummate host of gatherings with friends and family. He was a loyal friend to many, made friends fast, and knew no strangers. Irving was a lifelong, proud Democrat. Survivors include his daughter, Karen Lasker, and grandson, Charles Amidon, both of Naples, Florida. He is also survived by his partner of the past ten years, Kate Strassman. Other survivors include: two sisters: Ruth Chudacoff, and Leah (Donald) Lewis, his cousin, Charlie Cohen; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Irving was preceded in death by his parents; his son, David; and his wife Hilda.
Special thanks to Nancy Fields, Irving’s loyal bookkeeper for over 40 years, and to Carol and LeRoy Boudry for years of unwavering assistance at Irving’s home in Eden. Special recognition and gratitude to dear friends Michelle Majewski and Larry Reynolds. The funeral service was held at 11:30 a.m., on Sunday, July 3, 2011, at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac, Gary Wolfman officiated. Burial followed at the Temple Beth Israel section of Rienzi Cemetery. The visitation was on Sunday at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to The Brody Project for Animal Assisted Therapy, PO Box 112304, Naples, FL 34108. www.thebrodyproject.org
Irving’s family wishes to thank Drs. Eric Edel and Robert Van Scoy (retired) of the Mayo Clinic for their kind and compassionate care of Irving and his wife, Hilda, over the years.
Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family. Additional information and a guest register can be found at www.machfuneralchapel.com.