Irene L. Shawler, age 98, of Kenosha, passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Library Terrace Assisted Living surrounded by her loving family.<\/p>\n
Born on January 20, 1925, in Alma Center, WI, she was the daughter of the late George F. and Eliza Mae (Simmonds) Halpin.\u00a0 As an infant she moved to Kenosha with her family.\u00a0 Irene attended St. Thomas Aquinas Grade School, McKinley Junior High School and Bradford High School.<\/p>\n
In December 1945, while attending a dance at Great Lakes Naval Base, she was asked to dance by a young Marine named John Shawler, and six months later on June 22, 1946, they were united in marriage at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Kenosha.\u00a0 After a brief move to New Orleans, LA they returned to Kenosha to make it their home.\u00a0 They were blessed with almost 70 years of marriage before John\u2019s passing on January 4, 2016.<\/p>\n
As a young woman Irene was employed by Cooper\u2019s Inc, now Jockey, and along with her husband owned and operated Kenosha Frame & Axle.\u00a0 Later in life she worked part-time at the Nike Outlet Store.\u00a0 She loved working there because she was surrounded by young people and that in turn kept her young.<\/p>\n
Irene was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church.\u00a0 She was a woman of many interests.\u00a0 She enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing cards, reading, knitting and bingo.\u00a0 She was a regular member of Diver Dan\u2019s Swim exercise class up to her early 90\u2019s. She and her husband loved music and dancing and were often the last couple on the dance floor and they spent many years wintering in Florida.\u00a0 She also enjoyed taking care of her yard and flowers, watching the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, the PGA, and was a supporter of the Tremper High School baseball, football, and soccer teams, as well as a frequent attendee of all her grandchildren\u2019s activities.\u00a0 But Irene\u2019s greatest joy in life was to be surrounded by her loving family which filled her with much pride and happiness.\u00a0 She was most content with a little one sitting on her lap.<\/p>\n
Irene will be deeply missed by her three daughters, Pam (John) Degener, Sharon (Richard) Regner and Patty Ivy; her seven grandchildren, John (Wendy) Matera, Dr. Bryan (Kelly) Matera, Dr. Kevin (Dr. Dawn) Regner, Mike (Kelly) Regner, Ryan (Kathryn) Ivy, Kelly (Matthew Boos) Ivy, Melanie (Brett) Holly; her fifteen great grandchildren, Abe, Ainsley, Rylee, Jack, Asa, Blake, Liam, Hadley, Brynn, Max, William, Savannah, Nicolas, Wyatt and Olivia.<\/p>\n
In addition to her husband and parents, Irene was preceded in death by her son-in-law, William Ivy, Jr, her brother, Joseph and her sisters, Eleanor, Florence, Bernice and Loretta.<\/p>\n
The family wishes to extend a sincere and heartfelt thanks to the Library Terrace staff, especially Nurse Ashley, for your wonderful care, respect and dedication shown to mom while a resident, especially the last few weeks of her life.\u00a0 Also, words cannot express our appreciation to Hospice Alliance, especially Nurse Tiffany, for the compassionate and loving care given to mom.\u00a0 You made mom\u2019s journey to Heaven peaceful, pain free and calm.\u00a0 You are truly angels.<\/p>\n
Funeral services honoring Irene\u2019s life will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023.<\/p>\n
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary\u2019s Catholic Church, 7400-39th<\/sup> Avenue, Kenosha.<\/p>\n Private Entombment will take place in All Saints Mausoleum.<\/p>\n A visitation for Irene will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at the church.<\/p>\n