CHIZEK, Irene M. (1924-2006)

CHIZEK, JAGER, HELMERS, THOMAS, PLONSKI, FREDERICK, CHIZEK, SHAND, PROHASKA, VOSS, SANNER, ALAHAN, PITTS

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/10/2016 at 17:57:22

Irene Margaret Chizek, 1924-2006

December 6, 2006

Irene Margaret (Jager) Chizek, 82, of Garner, died on Saturday, December 2, 2006, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, December 6, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with Fr. Michael Schueller officiating. Lector will be Roger Kopacek. Music will be provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who will accompany the church choir and vocalists, Chester Plonski and Tanna Frederick. Ushers will be Arnold Prohaska, Wayne Chizek and Warren Chizek. Honorary bearers will be her grandchildren.

Casket bearers will be Don Prohaska, Gary Thorns, David Frederick, Tom Frederick, Chester Plonski and Sydney Shand. Burial will be in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. Visitation was held on Tuesday evening at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with a combined Rosary Society and Catholic Workman Rosary. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Irene Margaret, the daughter of Charles and Fannie (Helmers) Jager, was born on February 20, 1924 at South St. Paul, Minnesota. At the age of 9, she moved with her family to Mason City where she graduated from high school in 1942.

In the fall of 1940, Irene met the love of her life, Clarence Chizek at Hobo Days in Britt while on a blind date. On June 20, 1945, they were married at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, while Clarence was on leave from the military.

After the war, they made their home north of Garner where they farmed and raised their eight children. In 1980, they retired from farming but continued to live on the farm until 2004, when they became tenants at Cardinal Grove Assisted Living. In May of 2006, Irene became a resident of the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Irene loved spending time with her friends and was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, bowling, playing cards, traveling, especially trips to Las Vegas, California and New York, and going on girl's weekend trips to Lake Nancy, Wisconsin with her daughters and granddaughters.

She was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Rosary Society, Catholic Workman FCSLA W51, Birthday Club and Happy Homemakers.

Irene is survived by her husband, Clarence of Garner; 8 children, Mary (Gary) Thoms of Garner, Barbara (Chester) Plonksi of Forest City, Nancy (David) Frederick of Mason City, Cindy Chizek of Mason City, Sharon (Tom) Frederick of Forest City, Tom (fiancee, Michelle) Chizek of Garner, Betty Chizek of Mason City and Robert (partner Sydney Shand) Chizek of San Jose, California; ten grandchildren, Shelly (Don) Prohaska, Tanna Frederick, Nathaniel Frederick, Joshua Frederick, Hannah Frederick, Mara Frederick, Colton Voss, Mariel Voss, Ryan Sanner, Jenna Chizek and Arandas Alahan; two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Jesslyn Prohaska; a brother, Kenneth Jager of Jacksonville, Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, June (Calvin) Pitts; a sister-in-law, Marion Jager; and brothers-in-law, Edwin Chizek and Walter (Marceline) Chizek.

If love could have saved thee, thou would not have died.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2006