Irene V. Waubanascum

Irene Violetta Waubanascum, 77, of Keshena, died peacefully in her home Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, surrounded by her family. Irene was born Nov. 13, 1942, in Keshena and was the youngest child of Madeline “Patches” (Westcott) and Thomas “Buster” Whitney. Irene, her brother Thomas (deceased) and sister Dolores (deceased) spent their childhood in South Branch, and she graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School. Irene married Richard Groll (deceased) in 1962, and together they had four children. During this time, Irene attended hair and cosmetology school, sold Avon and attended secretarial school. The family lived in Manitowoc until she and Richard divorced in 1971. Irene moved to Milwaukee and eventually married John Koski (deceased) and they had one child together. After she and John divorced, Irene moved back to Keshena in 1984 where she met and married Bernard “Benno” Waubanascum, who tragically preceded her in death in 1991. In 1979, Irene enrolled in MATC Nursing School, completed her degree and began a very satisfying and rewarding nursing career. Her early work was director of nursing for a nursing home and then labor and delivery nurse in Milwaukee and Shawano. For a brief time, while she was waiting for an opening at Menominee Tribal Clinic, Irene and Benno leased the restaurant The Eagle’s Nest located at the time on Highway 47-55 where they worked side by side serving breakfast and lunch. Truly, her life’s work was her devotion and service as a community health nurse to Menominee Nation tribal members from 1988 until her retirement in 2010. She loved the variety, the constant learning, the tremendous responsibility and getting out into the community. She is fondly remembered, respected and appreciated by many as a deeply compassionate, competent, caring nurse. Irene’s greatest legacy is her role as mother and grandmother. Raising five children virtually on her own, Irene was a strict, no-nonsense mother. Her deepest sense of accomplishment was seeing her children grow into productive, happy, family-oriented adults. Irene found tremendous joy in being a “gramma” and great-gramma, rarely missing a birthday, graduation or special event. Irene enjoyed traveling, preferring road trips back and forth to Milwaukee, and to places like Las Vegas and New Mexico. She made exceptions to fears of flying and ventured to Colorado, Hawaii, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Irene was quick witted and had a great sense of humor. She loved family gatherings, dancing and softball games, and she was an avid Brewers and Packers fan. She had a knack for trivia games, enjoyed playing cards and listening to music. Irene was an expert seamstress, and she had a passion for reading. Her favorite series was Clan of the Cave Bear, finishing all six books. She also enjoyed non-fiction reading to include biographies, Native American history and studying the complexities of religion and spirituality. While Irene’s final years were spent under a shadow of illness, which resulted in her needing specialized memory care, she never lost her desire to participate in trivia games, watch her favorite television game shows, play Bingo and enjoying getting her hair and nails done. Recently losing her ability to speak, she still enjoyed being around family listening to stories, smiling big when she heard something funny or gesturing to all if someone got the story wrong. Irene is survived by her children, Patti (Tony) Hildebrand, Tony (Carrie) Groll, Amy (Phil) Domagalski and Jacqui (Rollan Jr. “Corky”) Caldwell; 12 grandchildren, Alyson (Matt), Alyvia, Annalise, Rachel, Brittney (Daniel), Zach, Jesse (Katie), Harlan, Whitney, Rollan III, Aaron and Carlos; and 12 great-grandchildren, Holden, Dakota, Danika, Liam, Carson, Ophelia, Savannah, Serenity, Alicia, Rollan IV, Braidon and Kai. Irene was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Kari Fernandez; and granddaughter Sarah Wahsquonaikezhik. A celebration of life will be held Oct. 24, 2020, at Swedberg Funeral Home, 518 W. Fifth St,, Shawano, at 1 p.m., with visitation preceding at 11:30 a.m. If you are uncomfortable attending, please direct cards and well wishes to the family in care of Swedberg Funeral Home, 518 W. Fifth St., Shawano, WI 54166. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Irene Waubanascum at http://act.alz.org/goto/inmemoryofirene. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com