Irene Kvapil

VISITATION:

4-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 31 and from 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, June 1 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Wednesday, June 1 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

Irene Mary Kvapil, 89, of Chippewa Falls, passed away peacefully Friday, May 27, 2016 at her home surrounded by family and while under the care of Mayo Clinic Hospice.

She was born November 4, 1926 to Jesse and Mary Helm. She grew up in the Bateman and Ludington area. She attended the Henry School and worked on the farm doing many chores. She enjoyed spending time with their grandmother Alice Bates, where she learned some of her baking skills.

Her family is thankful for her time in the kitchen making them goodies. Her cookies were sent all over the world in care packages to California, Afghanistan and Iraq. The banana bars were sent to Arizona upon request. When you came to visit her, you would be happily sent home with breads and cookies wrapped fresh in containers.

In her younger days, she liked to go out dancing. She loved her Avon products and collecting their unique jars of perfume. She wasn't one to miss out on watching Wheel of Fortune either. Of course she was also known to holler Bingo at several bingo halls in the Chippewa Valleythat was her kind of fun!

Irene worked at Skogmo's Diner in her early days, and at the Jim Falls Dairy. For over 35 years, she was a caregiver at Chippewa County, the Golden Age Home, Chippewa Manor and Stanley Hospital. For another 18 years, she worked as a housekeeper at the Holiday Inn in Eau Claire, retiring at age 79.

She was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls. She always carried her faith and strength with the Lord. Irene's heart and hands have cared for and healed many people and animals in her lifetime. Her special touch seemed to be the ingredient of love that she added into her recipes. She surely will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her daughters, Goldeen (Norm Keck) Eckwright, Verna Clark, Charlene (Brian Johnson) Ogden, Marlene (Tom Dugan) Clark; sons, Jerry Boyea and Joe (Jan) Clark; sisters, Violet Rud, Esther Glenz, Verle Greene and Addie Dienhamer; many grandchildren, Wayne (Linda), Shane (Beth), Nicole (Calvin), Raymond (Krista), Arlyn, Tiffany (Eric), Brittany (Charles), Breanna (Ted), Janelle (Fred), Tanya (Brad), Jason (Wendy), Pat, Justin, Jim (Laura), Corey, Sandy (Ron), April, Jack Jr., Willie, Bobbie Jo, Kevin, Amanda (George); eight stepchildren; many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Ronald and Donald Helm; sons, Bobby Clark, Dennis Clark and Jack Boyea; a grandson, Zachary Clark; her husbands, Archie Boyea, Raymond Clark, Elmer Hilp, Don Schaller and Robert Kvapil; and her lifelong friend, Emery Bakeman.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 1 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Robert B. Hoekstra officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the funeral chapel.

A special thank you to Irene's great-granddaughter, Adriana and her son Wyat for the love and care they provided which allowed Irene to stay in her home.