Irene Violetta Waubanascum, 77, of Keshena, WI died peacefully in her home Tuesday, October 6, 2020 surrounded by her family.

Irene was born Nov 13, 1942 in Keshena and was the youngest child of Madeline "Patches" (Wescott) 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 Indian School in Keshena.

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 WI 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 Hwy 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 5 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 DC. Irene was quick witted and had a great sense of humor. She loved family gatherings, dancing, softball games, and 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 Clan of the Cave Bear, finishing all 6 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 play trivia games, watch her favorite TV game shows, play Bingo and get 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; and her long time friend and companion Daniel "Boone" Wayka.  Irene is preceded in death by her youngest daughter Kari (Quintin) Fernandez, and granddaughter Sarah (Shawahossoway "Shawash" "Skinny", deceased) Wahsquonaikezhik.

The celebration of life scheduled for October 24, 2020, has been canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date.  Please direct cards and well wishes to the family in care of Swedberg Funeral Home, 518 W. 5 ^th 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