Irene Laura Oblen, 95, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI.

Irene was born on November 21,1927 in Kenosha, WI to the late Joseph and Victoria (Markiewicz) Minkowski.   Irene lived in Kenosha, WI her entire life, before moving to be near her daughter in New Berlin, WI.

Irene married Edward Oblen on February 4^th, 1956.  They were married 41 years before Edward’s passing in 1997.

She attended Mary D. Bradford High School and graduated from The University of Wisconsin Madison in 1948.  Irene worked at Great Lakes Naval Base, the Kenosha National Bank, and Prairie Lane Elementary School.

Irene was a member of Women’s Auxiliary of the Polish Legion of American Veterans (PLAV) Post 34, the Women’s Card Club, St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church and the former St. Casimir’s Catholic Church, Kenosha, WI.

She was devoted to quilting, sewing, crocheting, and gardening on the small family farm in Pleasant Prairie.  She enjoyed traveling with friends to Las Vegas over the many years and was an avid reader and investor.  Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and loved watching her children and grandchildren play sports and musical instruments.

Her memory will be forever cherished by her four children:  Paula (Steve) Bailey, New Berlin, WI; Steve (Paula) Oblen, Palm Desert, CA; Michael (Ellen) Oblen, Milton, GA; and Patrick Oblen, Franklin, WI and her six grandchildren – Chase, Ian, Sydney, Jack, Luke, and Joshua.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Irene was preceded in death by her older brother, Chester Minkowski.