Irene Elizabeth Kraske, age 92, of Northport, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at ThedaCare Hospital in New London.
She was born on November 19, 1926 in Royalton, daughter of the late Edward and Clara (Colien) Butler. Irene graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1948. On November 28, 1953 she married John Kraske at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manawa. He preceded her in death on July 9, 2016. In the 63 years Irene and John were together, they enjoyed many summer trips with family and trips as a couple in retirement. Some of the things she was involved with in her community included: AARP past president, local chapter; on the Parish Council of Catholic Women; the Catholic Women’s Study Club; St. Agnes Altar Society; Vicariate III North Meeting participant; 4-H troop leader; Catholic CCD classes leader and also the Press Star newspaper Northport News correspondent. Irene was always a people person, family and friends will remember her involvement in many local activities including: Mukwa Town Hall meetings, card parties, 4-H and June Dairy Month promotions; also hosting various church groups, club meetings, and reunions in her home. She was eager to meet new people; Ecumenical events were often on her calendar. She enjoyed writing cards and letters, often including newspaper clippings and church bulletins. In her later years she learned how to email. Her friends have said, she did the things for others we all wish we took the time to do. Irene attended Mercy nurses reunions, and encouraged young nurses. All holidays were special to her, including her time as New Dublin’s Irish Rose. She was a lifelong sports fan, from local schools to Go Pack Go, Go Brewers, and Cubs Win!
She is survived by her daughter Carol (Paul) Bruss, Bettendorf, Iowa; son Bill (Ryoko), Wichita, Kansas; siblings, Ann DiPiazza and Pat Butler. She is further survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She loved her family and extended family. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter Kay; sibling Alice Berg and sister-in-law Helen Butler; also brothers-in-law, Bob Berg and Joe DiPiazza.
The Funeral Mass for Irene will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, in the Town of Lebanon, with Fr. John Kleinschmidt officiating. Burial will be in Northport Ostrander Cemetery, Town of Mukwa. A visitation for Irene will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 3-5 p.m. at the Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London. There will not be a visitation Friday morning before the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to all the friends and neighbors. Special thanks to the awesome staff at the Washington Center. Thanks and appreciation to Fr. John for his thoughtful and caring visits.
Memorials can be made to any church youth mission program and/or church camp of your choice in Irene’s name. Youth programs were very near and dear to her heart.
Always encouraging others, Irene would say, “be interested and interesting,” and “remember the good days.”
The Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com