GORKOWSKI, Irene Emma BENJEGERDES ()

GORKOWSKI, BENJEGERDES, MCDONALD, LOWERY, KLIPLE, MOYNIHAN, KLEAR, DRIVER, SCOTT, DOBEL, TARR, DICKINSON, WELLER, HILL, DELISSO, FINNEGAN

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 11/5/2009 at 12:50:36

Mason City Globe Gazette

Irene Emma Benjegerdes Gorkowski

TOLEDO,Ohio - Irene Emma Benjegerdes Gorkowski, 95, of Toledo, Ohio, and formerly of Rock Falls, passed away Aug. 14, 2006 at Hospice of Northwest, Ohio.

Irene was born Sept. 24, 1910, in rural Manly, to Carl and Eliza (Dobel) Benjegerdes. She graduated from Manly High School in 1926 at age 16.

Irene married John Gorkowski at the Little Brown Church in Nashua on June 18, 1929. They farmed for a short time but farming wasn't their passion. After living in Mason City for a brief time, they moved to Rock Falls, where they owned the Farm Store and later partnered with Fred Weller in a milk hauling business for Hermanson Dairy. John died in 1969 and Irene remained in Rock Falls.

When her son, Forrest, was a high school senior she attended Mason City Junior College (NIACC) for two years, which qualified her to teach. She taught in Plymouth for 22 years, retiring in 1977. She went on to complete her B.A. degree at Drake University in 1970.

Irene sang in the Methodist choirs in Rock Falls and Mason City and for residents of retirement homes. She played piano and many instruments without formal training, but what intrigued her family was her ability to play the bones: (cow ribs that her dad made) and she could "click" with a steady rhythm.

She also had a flair for painting eyes and coordinating colors in her ceramics work. She made nativity sets for her children and grandchildren. Irene taught many ceramic classes in her home.

During the Depression, she bought a rug loom to help supplement the family income. She had a talent for mixing the right colors and weaving a "tight" rug that would last for years. Irene's rugs soon became locally renowned. She volunteered at the Kinney Pioneer Museum Mason City, weaving many hours on the 100 year old loom as a historical demonstrator. Her rugs have been featured at the Toledo Museum of Art stores and at several Toledo Libraries.

In 1998, Irene moved to Toledo to be closer to her son, Forrest, where she continued weaving on her original loom. Only when she moved to Sunset House in August of 2005 did she say "63 years is enough" and at age 94 wove her last rug, There must be an "Irene rug" in nearly every home in northern Iowa and many in northwest Ohio.

She and John had three children, Harlan (Marilyn Bistline now Mrs. Dale McDonald) of McLeansboro, Ill., Forrest (Sharon Hill) of Toledo, Ohio, and Joyce (John) Lowery of Gulf Breese, Fla.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brothers, Walter and Leslie Benjegerdes; sisters, Lizzie Dickinson and Gertrude Northway Tarr; and her son, Harlyn (lieutentant colonel retired, Air Force).

She is survived by her son Harlyn's widow, Marilyn (Dale) McDonald of McLeansboro, Ill.; son, Forrest (Sharon) of Toledo; and daughter Joyce (John) Lowery, of Gulf Breeze, Fla.

She never forgot a birthday and was blessed to see and love all 10 grandchildren; Bradley (Cyndee) Gorkowski, Bruce (Karen) Gorkowski, Karilyn (Wayne) Kipple and Karen (Ed) DeLisso, Cathy (John) Moynihan, Steve Gorkowski and Jenny (John) Klear, Sherry (Ricky) Driver, Daryn Finnegan and Shannon (Ray) Scott. She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Rock Falls Methodist church. Charitable expressions may be made to Kinney Pioneer Museum of Mason City or a charity of the donor's choice.