Irene H. Weber

Peacefully and joyfully embraced God’s Providential Will and entered eternal life with Him on Wednesday, April 18, 2018; age 85, born 6/24/1932 in Fowler, MI. Beloved wife and friend (“half of my soul”) of Peter for 47 yrs.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leo & Catherine Luttig; her brothers Ernest, Norman (Rosaline), Raymond (Willa) Luttig, and her sister Viola (Julius) Koenigsknecht.

She is survived by brothers Andrew (Marjorie, dec.), Paul (Patricia), Urban (Shirley) Luttig; and sisters Catherine (William) Heckman, Elizabeth (Roger) Cook, and Helen (Jerome) Stump. She will be greatly missed by many other family members (nephews, nieces, cousins); her god-children Kris Nickodemus, Colin Bloy and Robert Leack; and a host of loyal friends, including those of her Dominican community, St. Joan’s Circle of St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, and her Bridge club.

Irene was a dedicated, inspiring, and challenging teacher. She joined the Racine Dominican order in 1948, taught at a number of Catholic schools in the Milwaukee Archdiocese and was principal at several schools – her final position being principal of St. Mary School, Kenosha, WI. In 1969 she petitioned the Holy Father for a dispensation from her religious vows and her request was granted. She continued her teaching career at Waverly Elementary in Waverly, MI for a year. She then moved to Milwaukee in 1970 and began teaching for Milwaukee Public Schools – primarily 4th,5th & 6th grade students at Townsend School. She was honored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as the 1987-88 District Elementary School Teacher of the year. She retired from Milwaukee Public Schools in June, 1990 – partly to be more readily available to help her 84 yr. old mother-in-law who had moved back to Milwaukee from Lake Havasu City, AZ.

After her retirement Irene continued her service to others by volunteering at Milwaukee Achiever organization (teaching English as a second language; mentoring students to obtain a GED/HSED); as a swimming assistant/chaperone for the North Suburban Special Olympics at the Rite Hite (Schroeder) YMCA; as a volunteer driver for Interfaith Older Adult programs – until her Parkinson Disease prevented her from driving; and as a member of the Christ Child Society.

Irene was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 1998. She was initially treated for this disease by the staff at Wisconsin Parkinson Association and participated in its support groups and seminars. Subsequently, for many years she has been followed faithfully by her neurologist Dr. Gary Leo. Also, from its inception, she joined the Parkinson Exercise program initiated by Dr. Teresa Steffen (www.exercisepd.com). As long as she was able to use it, she found this exercise class (its leaders & its participants) a beneficial & effective support group in her coping with Parkinson symptoms.

However, in late December, 2017 Irene sustained a serious kidney infection which worsened her Parkinson symptoms and compromised her ability to regain her strength. She was qualified for hospice care and on January 5, 2018 was accepted at Horizon Lawlis Family Hospice. She eventually succumbed to Parkinson’s relentless assault on her mind and body. We are grateful to the Horizon Lawlis Family hospice staff & volunteers for their excellent care and compassionate support during Irene’s lengthy passage through death’s door into eternal life and peace.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 7001 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday, April 22nd from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM. Visitation will also be held on Monday, April 23, at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, 8661 North 76th Place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.  Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Memorials to Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association (Wellness for Neurologic Change Fund);

Wisconsin Parkinson Association;

or Horizon Lawlis Family Hospice would be appreciated.