Irene J. Kenowski, 84

Irene J. Kenowski, age 84, of Stevens Point passed away on Monday, December 10, 2018.

A Mass of a Christian Burial will be held for Irene at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 838 Fremont St. Stevens Point. Rev. Donald Przybylski will officiate.

Friends and family may gather to share memories from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4 at the Shuda Funeral Chapel, 3200 Stanley St. A general rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 9-10:15 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Guardian Angel Cemetery. Shuda Funeral Services is assisting the family.

Irene was born in Stevens Point on April 15, 1934, the daughter of James and Tella (Wierzba) Alakson. She attended local schools and graduated high school in Stevens Point.

After getting married in 1951 to the late Gregory Kenowski, and being known as an expert homemaker for nearly her whole adult life, Irene was actually the first business owner in our Kenowski family. She started out with a successful root beer stand in Stevens Point called the “Hula Hut” to make ends meet while Greg was the stay-at-home Dad to little Gregory Jr., who was born in 1952. As Greg started to build Kenowski Trucking, Irene would give way to being a full-time Mom as the family grew to five boys by 1962.

She would become an expert homemaker and always a hot meal, perfectly-made beds and clean house. A true host to all her friends, who would visit often, or to her sons’ friends. She never would deny a home-cooked meal to anyone who would come over. She was the best at homemade soups, chicken dumpling being one of the family’s favorites. She would serve breakfast and coffee to Greg’s trucking employees of Kenowski Trucking, as the house was next to the business in the 1960s and ’70s on Hwy. 10.

She truly gave the family life to all of her sons. A “Norman Rockwell” painting life, one could call it. She would always give it all back to family no matter what and kept doing to her very last day.

A truly wonderful wife, married to Greg for 50 years, eight months and 13 days ‘til death did they depart when she lost Greg on May 16, 2002. She decided that day it would be the only man she ever loved. Now they are together again, both of them leaving this world in the same house they built together in 1999.

She became a strong and independent woman in her later years, enjoying her weekly Olympia Restaurant meals with “the girls” day out. It was the highlight of her week and her favorite restaurant. She also loved Turner Classic Movies and Dancing With the Stars.

She will be forever missed and loved by many. Amen. ❤️

Irene is survived by her three sons; Cary Keno, Bruce (Ida) Keno, and Brian (Colette) Keno, all of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and five grandchildren.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com.