Obit: Malleck, Irene Gertrude (1933 – 2009)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Malleck, Waukon, Snowball, Smith, Gromoff, Denasha, Martin, Decorah, Shegonee, WhiteDog, Goodbear, Carrimon, Falcon

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) December 30, 2009

Malleck, Irene Gertrude (2 December 1933 – 28 December 2009)

Irene G. Malleck, 76, of Black River Falls, died Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, in her home.

Irene Gertrude Snowball was born Dec. 2, 1933, in Eau Claire to Luke Sr. an Annie (Waukon) Snowball. She was raised in the Black River Falls area and had the distinction of graduating from Black River Falls High School at the age of 16.  She later graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

She was employed as an elementary school teacher in rural communities during the 1950s.  She later married Larry Malleck and they lived in Chicago.  Following Larry’s retirement, the couple settled in rural Black River Falls. 

Irene was the first elderly director for the Ho-Chunk Nation Health Department Headquarters at Wisconsin Rapids/Nekoosa.  She managed both State Title III and Federal Title VI Native American Aging Programs.  At that time, the Ho-Chunk Nation took advantage of both state and federal funds – possibly the first tribe to do so.

She was a member of the Native American Church of North America.  She enjoyed playing bingo, visiting casinos, going for car rides, crossword puzzles, playing solitaire and Chinese checkers.  She was always light-hearted and good-natured working with all elders and others.

She is survived by a daughter, Angela (Joel) Smith of Hixton; five sons, Greg (Teresa) Gromoff, Clint Gromoff and Michael Gromoff, all of Black River Falls, Bernard Denasha of Wilton and Ronald Martin of Baraboo; 12 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and a sister, Mildred A. Decorah of Merrillan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luke Sr. and Annie (Waukon) Snowball; her husband, Larry Malleck; a daughter, Linda Shegonee; a son, Constantine Gromoff, Jr.; brothers, Dan Snowball, Lawrence Snowball, Luke Snowball Jr., Frank Snowball, Phillip Snowball and Gordon Snowball; sisters, Mathila WhiteDog, Mildred B. Snowball, Exhilda Goodbear and Lorraine Carrimon; and nieces, Dorothy Goodbear, Rita Carrimon, Jenny Carrimon.

Native American Church of North America funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at the District One Community Center, and burial will be in the Winnebago United Church of Christ Cemetery, both in Black River Falls. Wayne Falcon will be the presiding elder.

Family and friends are invited for visitation after 4 p.m. Wednesday at the District One Community Center.

The Buswell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are available at: www.buswellfuneralhome.com.