Doris W. Irwin

Doris W. Irwin, 100-yearold Gold Star Mother and American Legion Auxiliary member, passed away peacefully, Sunday, July 23, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls.

Born Dec. 23, 1922, to Fred and Letitia Albrecht, Doris grew up on a farm, graduated from Augusta High School and married Morris Irwin. Together, they had nine children, farming south of Cadott.

At age 58, Doris became an EMT, serving the communities of Webb Lake, Arcadia and Augusta, as a member of the ambulance crew. Later, she became a nurse’s aide, working in the Augusta area.

Volunteering was a large part of Doris’ life: at church, summers for Elderhostel (Grand Lake, Colo., and three years, Sitka, Alaska), Beaver Creek Reserve Butterfly House and a number of years at the Augusta Library.

Doris enjoyed spending time with family and loved the outdoors. Whether it be gardening, hiking, hunting or fishing, that’s where you would find her.

She, also, found great pleasure in reading, writing poetry (some published in 2004 and 2005), painting and dancing (“Showtime Line Dancing,” performing and teaching).

Above all, Doris loved traveling. She visited nearly every state in America, including Alaska and Hawaii. In addition to Central America, Doris traveled abroad to Austria, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Switzerland. Her “trip of a lifetime” included climbing the Great Wall of China.

She is survived by three sons – Robert (Bette) Irwin, Cadott; Morris (Barbara) Irwin Jr., Fisher, Ind.; and Thomas (Marcia) Irwin, Hudson; four daughters – Diane Weggen, Stanley; Patricia (Jim) Gehrking, Cape Coral, Fla.; Peggy (Todd Post) Irwin, Chippewa Falls; and Vickie (Jeff) Iverson, Lady Lake, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her brother – Arnold Albrecht; son – Lt. JG Jerry Irwin; parents; daughter – June Meznarich; former husband – Morris Irwin; sister – Elaine Lowman; son-in-law – Donald Weggen; and special friend – Vince Miller.

Services are Friday, Aug. 4, 10:30 a.m., at St. Rose of Lima Church in Cadott. Visitation is one hour prior to the service, with a luncheon following.

A special thanks to everyone at the Chippewa Veterans Home, for their exceptional care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the CVH Recreation Committee for the courtyard fund. The Cremation Society of Wisconsin in Altoona, is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be expressed at cremationsociety- wi.com.