Irene Hattie Pfaff

She was born on September 18, 1926, at St. Anns Hospital in La Crosse, to Alfred G. and Hattie (Winsky) Kolb. She graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1945 and attended La Crosse Teachers College. On September 3, 1949, Irene married Paul Pfaff at First Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse where they have been active members their whole marriage.

In addition to raising three children, Irene was an active volunteer. She logged over 5000 hours volunteering with the Jr. Auxiliary at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center over 60 years, and was a longtime Lutheran Girl Pioneer leader. She was also involved with many church groups, worked part time in retail, and enjoyed camping, traveling, her sports teams, and the grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Paul; her daughter, Cheryl (John) Purcell of Oakdale, Minn.; and her son, Randall (Gladys) Pfaff of Katy, Texas. Irene is also survived by six grandchildren, Lisa Purcell, Megan (Mike) Rafferty, Ryan Purcell, Stephanie Pfaff, Victoria Pfaff, and Joshua Pfaff; one great grandchild, Liam Rafferty; one sister, Helen Genz of La Crosse; one brother-in-law, Norman Johns; and nine nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Dorothy Kolb Johns; her brother, Robert Kolb; and a daughter, Renee Pfaff.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the wonderful care at Salem Terrace and Lakeview Health Center during Irenes last years with Alzheimers.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 1thstth, at 11:00 a.m., at First Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Rev. Richard Pamperin will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.