Irene B. Schley

Irene Bernice Schley, age 90, of Maribel, WI died peacefully on Monday, May 5, 2014, surrounded by her family at Harmony House in Denmark, WI. Don't weep for me, for I have gone to my Heavenly Home to be with Jesus. Irene was born at home in Morrison, WI on February 4, 1924 to the late George C. Lemke and Sarah (Hussong) Lemke. She was baptized on February 24, 1924. After Irene's mother died on December 30, 1929, she was raised by her father, grandparents, and many loving and caring aunts and uncles (Hussong Lemke families). Upon her 8th grade graduation Irene worked for families in Morrison, Maribel, Denmark and Two Rivers, cleaning their homes along with cooking and babysitting their children. She was later employed at Eggers and the Aluminum Goods Mfg. Company. The assembly line work included constructing backs of airplane seats for the war effort and coffee pots. Irene married Ruben Schley on March 17, 1956 at Christ Lutheran Church in Denmark, WI. Their honeymoon took them on Route 66 to California and back. Irene helped Ruben milk their cows and run the family farm at Maribel for the next 35 years and the Lord blessed them with four daughters. Irene spent many hours driving her daughters to piano lessons. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking (especially cookies and rice krispie bars for her grandchildren). Irene enjoyed working in her floral and vegetable gardens, including her strawberry and raspberry patches. Summer was always very busy with farm work, driving tractor in the fields along with harvesting the garden. By the end of fall, the vegetable bins were filled in the cellar and pantry shelves lined with fruits and vegetables she had canned. Later in life, in addition to raising her family, Irene returned to the workforce and was employed in housekeeping at Bornemann Nursing Home in Green Bay. Ruben and Irene traveled to Florida, Washington DC, Arizona, Missouri, Illinois, Washington, and Canada to vacation and most importantly visit family. A trip to Europe (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) with friends was a major milestone in her travels. In her retirement years she tended to the beautiful mandevillas on her front porch, along with crocheting, reading and crossword puzzles. She spent many hours at her sewing machine mending her grandchildren's blue jeans. She also enjoyed playing sheepshead with the card clubs (lots of fun and laughter). Irene was a charter member of St Johns Ladies Aid, Maribel, member of the Maribel Homemakers Club and a cancer survivor. She is survived by Ruben, her husband of 58 years and four daughters: Sarah, Maribel, Mary (Gary) Konop, Denmark, Rachel (Steven) Post, Maribel, Rhoda Schley, Greenleaf. Grandchildren include: Evan Post, Maribel, Jared (Ashley) Post, Denmark, Ethan Post (Sam Zweerink, fiancé), Maribel, Jeremy Post, Maribel, Robert Diny, Madison, Hannah Diny, Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, Owen Diny, Madison, Elliott Diny, Greenleaf; Irene has one great granddaughter, Daisy Post. Irene is further survived by her cousins (the Hussong and Lemke families) and one nephew and two nieces. Irene was preceded in death by two brother-in-laws: Victor Schley and Gilbert (Laverne) Schley. Family and friends may call on Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at St Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Maribel, with the Reverend Daniel Cole officiating. Burial will follow in St Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery. Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorials be made to St Johns Lutheran Church and School, Maribel. The family wishes to thank the staff at Harmony House for the professional care of our mother, along with the Care Team from Unity Hospice. We are also thankful for the kindness and thoughtfulness of so many caring relatives and friends. Mom - On this Mother's Day Weekend, we will miss you greatly, but will carry with us all of the love and life's lessons that you taught us. You lived your faith and instilled in us the strong values of prayer, hard work, honesty, and loyalty. Rest peacefully now.