Irene B. Sunclades 1925-2011

SUNCLADES, LUKAICURCZ GRAZIS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/26/2011 at 15:03:29

Sioux City Journal
26 January 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Irene B. Sunclades, 85, of Bellevue, Neb., formerly of Sioux City, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, with her family present, at Midlands Alegent Hospital in Papillion, Neb.

Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Daniel Guenther officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., a rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel in Sioux City. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Irene was born Aug. 29, 1925, in Sioux City, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Lukaicurcz) Grazis. She grew up in Sioux City and attended Cooper Elementary, East Junior High and East High Schools. She was a talented singer and was known for her deep contralto voice. This won her many talent contests as a child held at the Orpheum Theatre. She continued to sing most of her life, performing with many of the old Sioux City jazz bands.

At 16-years old, she received an offer to tour with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra after walking on to sing with them at the Shore Acres Ballroom. Her voice shined best when coming from the choir loft at her beloved St. Casimer's Catholic Church, where she played the organ and sang for many years. Irene also traveled with her husband and mother to California, where she attended and graduated from business college.

Irene married Bren J. Sunclades in 1946 and they had two children, Mike and Tony. She began her career as a legal secretary in 1947. She returned to Sioux City in 1948 and worked for several attorneys before settling in with Ray and Gary Johnson. She retired in 1999. She unretired in 2000 and went to work for Jeffrey Myers until retiring in 2005. She moved to Bellevue to live with her eldest son, Mike and his wife, Joyce.

During Irene's working life, she worked with her mother, who owned and operated speakeasies and restaurants in Sioux City starting in the 1930s until moving to California in 1946. While in California, they learned about Mexican culture and food. Upon returning to Sioux City, Irene and her mother opened what is believed to be the first Mexican restaurants, the Taco and later the Fiesta. Irene worked nights at the restaurants for her mother and days at the law office for many years. When the last cafe closed in 1964, Irene worked bartending at the Hunter's Lodge and the Jungle Lounge.

Irene was an avid bowler and proud member of the 600 club. She and her team participated in many city, state and area tournaments. She enjoyed fishing, golf, pinochle, poker, gin, cribbage, Scrabble and Yahtzee with family and friends. Her biggest loves were her sons, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, Mike Sunclades and his wife, Joyce of Bellevue, Neb., and Tony Sunclades and his wife, Angela of Sioux City; three grandchildren, Mike Sunclades II and his wife, Virginia of Bellevue, Amy Nunley of Sioux City and Anthony Sunclades Jr. and his wife, Amy of Sioux City; 12 great-grandchildren, Kristina Farias, Amanda Sunclades, Michael Sunclades III, Jessica Sunclades, Reece Sunclades, Aubrey Nunley, Austin Noll, Whitney Noll, Chase Sunclades, Ally Sunclades, Anthony Sunclades III and Adriana Sunclades; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Mary Grazis; a brother, Walt Darrell; and grandchildren, Brenda Sunclades and Andrew Sunclades.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Sunclades Jr., Gary Johansen, Doug Roehrich, Austin Noll, Chase Sunclades and Mike Laughlin.

Memorials may be made in her name to the St. Casimer's Tuition Assistance Fund in care of the Diocese of Sioux City.