Obit: Converse, Irene Gunda (1925 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Converse, Schmolke, Pengra

----Source: Crematory of Wisconsin (Altoona, Eau Claire Co., WI) 9/26/2022

Converse, Irene Gunda (4 March 1925 – 21 September 2022)

Irene G. Converse passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at Plum City Care Center where she had resided since August 10, 2017. Prior to that Irene lived in West Allis, at an assisted living center for eight years until falling ill necessitating the move closer to family.

On March 4, 1925, Irene Gunda Converse was born at home in Granton, to Hugh and Martha (Schmolke) Converse, the first of four children; fraternal twins Phil and Fred came along in 1927 and brother Robert in 1930.

In 1943 Irene graduated from Greenwood High School (third in class) and immediately went to work for the Clark County Press as a proofreader and writer staying there until 1950. After her father passed away, Irene and her mother moved to Milwaukee, to be closer to her brother Phil.

Once settled in Milwaukee, she was hired by Cutler-Hammer, an electrical control manufacturer, which was later bought out by Eaton Corporation. Irene performed transcription work for the engineers and eventually became a coordinator for sales training managers throughout the world. Her work was top notch, and she received several articles of recognition from the corporation as well as the managers she trained.

After retiring at the age of 65, she continued to enjoy travel in Europe, belonging to a local camera club, book clubs (she was a voracious reader), working crossword puzzles, learning world history and had an avid passion for genealogy tracing family back to the 1600's. Irene had a very special and close relationship with her niece, Mary and great niece, Leanne Pengra. They enjoyed many decades of adventures to museums, art exhibits, the zoo, ethic festivals, plays, ballet as well as enjoying fabulous restaurants experience some excellent cuisine.

Special thanks to Plum City Care Center for their love, care, and commitment to excellence of all residents. Thanks also to St. Croix Hospice for their assistance at the beginning and at the end of care for Irene.

She is survived by brother Robert; nephew Norman (Catherine) Converse; niece Mary (Oren) Pengra; nephew Wesley (Lillian) Converse; nephew Kevin Converse; nephew Brian (Diane) Converse; nephew Gary Converse; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Phil and his wife Mary, brother Fred, sister-in-law Norma Converse and nephew David Converse.

Services will be held at a later date. Place of rest will be with her parents in Granton, WI, Windfall Cemetery.

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