Irene Leonia Pevonka, 80, of Shawano, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at a local nursing home. Born on Oct. 28, 1932, in Naperville, Ill., she was the daughter of the late George H. and Elsie (Rowoldt) Grandt.
At a very early age the family lost their home to a fire, so Irene and her sister, Laverne, had to live with friends. These friends gave Irene the nickname of “Mickey,” and Irene stayed in contact with them all these years. When the family was all together again in 1938, they moved to Aurora, Ill., where Irene was active with the Girl Scouts and sang in the youth choir.
In the winter of 1946 her family moved to Whitewater, and in 1950 Irene graduated from Whitewater College High School, where she was a member of the choir, a member of the Girls Athletic Club and also played volleyball, basketball and softball.
Her first job was as an egg candler and later as a line worker for Electronic Co., where she worked her way up to the chief lab technician. On May 12, 1962, she was united in marriage to Orville Pevonka, whom she had met on a blind date. Later that same year, the couple moved to Shawano, where they would raise their five beautiful daughters.
Irene was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was active with the CCD program and with the preparation of funeral meals. She was also a member of the GOAL Cancer Support Group. Irene loved watching all types of sports, especially the Packers, Brewers and Badgers. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Irene is survived by her husband of 51 years, Orville; her five daughters and sons-in-law, Marcia (Tom) Buker, of Antigo, Karla (Steve) Duchac, of Shawano, Debra (Mark) Stroming, of Marinette, Kristie (Todd) Runge, of Shawano, and Sandra (Jeff) Allen, of Springfield, Ohio; seven grandsons, Joshua and Logan Duchac, Austin, Weston and Walker Stroming, Robert and Luke Allen; a stepgranddaughter, Brittany Runge; a stepgrandson, Bryce Runge; and a great-stepgranddaughter, Mya Coffey. Irene is further survived by two brothers, Ralph Grandt, of Davis, Ill., and Richard (Rose) Grandt, of Amery; brother-in-law, Vinton Anderson, of Whitewater; sister-in-law, Eunice Grandt, of Baraboo; brother-in-law, Dennis (Lucille) Pevonka, of Shawano; sister-in-law, Valerie Pevonka, of Minong; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Lawrence, Harold and George Grandt; two sisters, Evelyn Grandt, Laverne Anderson; four sisters-in-law, Carol Grandt, Helen Grandt, Mildred Ashenbrener and Jean Pevonka; and three brothers-in-law, Milton Pevonka, Clarence Pevonka and Joe Ashenbrener.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano with the Rev. Luke Ferris officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Irene’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Evergreen Care Center in Shawano and to the nurses of ThedaCare At Home Hospice for the superb care they gave to her and to her entire family.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
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