Irene L. Kaukola, age 90, of 3290 West Maple Ridge 37th Road; Rock, died Thursday, August 16th, 2007 at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba where she was a patient since December of 2005.
The eldest of four daughters, Irene was born August 22nd, 1916 in Chicago to Anthony and Catherine Zmyslony. She graduated from T. Roosevelt High School, went to work as a cost accountant for the State of Illinois, and attended evening classes to obtain 1.5 years of college credit.
Patriotism ran high during World War II and she entered the US Navy as a WAVE in the Navy Corps in 1943. Duty in the Navy took her to Hunter College for boot training, to Hospital Corps in Bainbridge, MD.; Brooklyn, New York; Memphis, TN.; and Hawaii before her discharge in 1945. Irene served as a hospital corpsman and as a hospital accounting technician and also acquired 11 more college credits while serving her country.
After returning to Chicago, she graduated from Chicago Wright City two year college in June 1946, majoring in business administration, and later switching to biological sciences. She received a scholarship to Rosary College to major in zoology, but instead, she married Vilho I. Kaukola June 27th, 1946, 10 days after her graduation from
Anonymous
To all my dear cousins and extended family:
We were so saddened to hear of Aunt Irene’s recent death. I have many happy memories of her, from our childhood days, school days, college days, and family visits and reunions. Her warm, loving nature and quick laugh always made me feel like we lived right next door rather than many miles apart.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Irene and with all of you.
Love,
Robin (Kaukola), John, Matt, and Alex Farrell
Asheville, NC
Irene’s Family
I will be keeping all of you in my prayers. The loss of a Mother is a deep deep pain. I enjoyed all the conversations I had with your mom, going out to her house in Rock and cutting her hair, in the back of the ambulnace on the way to the hospital, or at Bishop Noa where you could peek in on her and she would give you a Hello and one of her Big Big smiles that came right from her toes. She will be missed, as a part of Rock and Bishop Noa.
Take care,
Cheryl Patrick
Rock, MI
As one of the youngest Kaukola cousins, I have fond memories of Aunt Irene throughout my childhood. Everytime we visited the UP or had a Kaukola reunion,to us, south of the bridge cousins, Aunt Irene was most welcoming! Always warm and loving – sharing family history etc.
I’ll never forget, many years later, when Aunt Irene and Uncle Vilho came to visit me at Nazareth College, in Kalamazoo. Aunt Irene climbed the Holy stairs, in the chapel at Nazareth, on her knees. In each stair, is a Holy relic from the Holy Lands.
Knowing it would take some time, Dad, Mom and Uncle Vilho and I went to my dorm room to wait.
2 hours later we were called to pick her up
– she had persisted to a point of fatigue, but made it up those stairs!
I’ve always admired Aunt Irene – an honorable, quiet, peaceful women of strength and character.
I’m sending all my prayers and love to my cousins and your dear families. Wishing you peace and fond memories of love.
Fondly,
Pat Kaukola-Weber
Kalamazoo, MI
To: Kaukola Family
I’m sending this note to let you know that you have been in my thoughts and prayies as you have all been going thru a very trying time this last 1yr or so. I’m hoping that you all may have a little peace knowing that your mother is with the Heavanly Father above.
Please enjoy your family time together and for those that will be traveling please be safe.
Sincerely,
The Holbrook’s
Are thougts are with you .You should know that she is in a better place.She will always be with you in your heart and mind. We will have you in are prayers on Monday. Godbless and love to all!
Joan Soucey 9631 Columbia
Redford, MI
This is for Geno and Joan,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss Geno of your mother. It sounds like she was a very special person who so much for everyone else. Her accomplishments were extraordinary and you are very proud of her I’m sure. To have your mother for so many years is a wonderful thing. God bless you and your family at this time.
Love,
Jean and Doud Frederickson
Negaunee, MI
Sorry we could not be up there to help ya guys in any way we could. We know your ma will be missed in every way imaginable, and we wish to add our condulences to ya guys and we will be there in thought and prayer.
Your friends from Green Bay…
Ed & Tammi Wadeen
Green Bay, WI
Our condolences to the Kaukola family. Your mother will always be remembered for her smile.
Gary and Liz Lauscher
West Palm Beach, FL
We will miss Irene, who was married to my brother, a city girl who lived on the farm, she lived a fruitful and long life , our sypathy to all of her family, Uncle Bob and Aunty Florence
Bob Kaukola
Paw Paw, MI
I could write a book on the memories I have of your mother. She was my kindergarten and first grade teacher at the school in McFarland.
I have so many memories of her from that time and loved seeing her after I grew up. When she would hear about something good happening in my life, she would call my mother and express her happiness.
She is in a far better place but will be missed!
She gave me one the best gifts someone can give-she taught me to read.
Carol Ontto
McFarland, MI
It was an honor and a pleasure to know Irene. The lives she touched are many and the faith she had was amazing. I often told the staff at the home that they had a saint in their midst! I spent many hours visiting her there and also shared many times before at her home. Her stories, her history, her wisdom, her witness and her loved will be missed, but she will not be forgotten! God bless her always!
Laurie Sullivan
Rock, MI