Obit: Gatz, Irene L. (1929 – 2020)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gatz, Griswold, Briggs, Schultz, Bredlau, Weizenegger, Francis, Rudzena, Cairns, Erber, Cardono, Kruetzer

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 27 May 2010

Gatz, Irene L. (5 MAY 1929 – 22 MAY 2020)

(Note - buried as Irene Schultz)

Irene L. Gatz, 91, Greenwood, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020, at Riverside Assisted Living in Neillsville. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, May 30, at the Greenwood City Cemetery, with Rev. Patsy Roe officiating.

Irene Louise Griswold was born on May 5, 1929, in Woodstock, Ill., to John W. and Florence (nee Briggs) Griswold. She was raised and received her education in Woodstock, Ill., where she graduated from high school. Irene married Alvin H. Schultz on May 16, 1947, in Belvidere, Ill. They farmed in Belvidere until February 1958, and then moved to a farm southwest of Greenwood, where she farmed with her husband and did babysitting. In 1970, Irene began foster parenting, which she did for many years. Her husband, Alvin, died on Oct. 27, 1974. She remained on the farm and later married John M. Gatz on March 19, 1976, in Greenwood. He died on Jan. 18, 2005. At the age of 60, she went back to school and completed her G.E.D. Irene remained in her home until 2015, and then moved to Black River View Apartments in Greenwood. In 2018, she moved to Riverside Assisted Living in Neillsville, where she resided until her death. She was a member of the former Grace United Methodist Church in Greenwood, where she was very active and sang in the choir. After the church closed, Irene attended Loyal United Methodist Church. She was a former member of the Clark County Choraliers and had been a 4-H leader. Irene had many interests, but especially loved spending time with her family and many friends, and sewing.

She will be dearly missed by three children: Gary (Rochelle) Schultz of Almond, Connie Green of Energy, Ill., and Robert Gatz of Belvidere, Ill.; two step-children: Suzanne (Al) Bredlau of Neillsville, and Cheryl (Geb) Weizenegger of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; one brother: Tom (Alice) Griswold of Sun City, Ariz.; four sisters: Margaret Hahn of Marengo, Ill., Beverly (Ken) Francis of Green Valley, Ariz., Nancy (Marv) Cairns of Belvidere, Ill., and Rita (Bill) Rudzena of Johnsburg, Ill.; one sister-in-law: Diane Griswold of Springville, Tenn.; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Alvin and John; two grandsons: David Weizenegger and Gary Schultz Jr.; one great-grandson: Tucker Bredlau; three brothers: Bob, Charles and John Griswold; and four sisters: Margery Erber, Shirley Mansfield, Dorothy Cardono, and Jeanie Kruetzer.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.