Irene Kirst Obituary

Lake Mills, WI - Irene K. Kirst, 85, of Lake Mills, died peacefully at home on Sunday, September 17, 2023 surrounded by family.

Irene was born in Watertown on May 4, 1938, the daughter of the late Benjamin and Laura (Soldner) Altenburg. She confirmed her faith at Mamre Moravian Church.

She attended a one-room school in North Milford, then attended Lake Mills High School, graduating in 1956.

Irene completed a Bachelor of Science in Rural Education at Whitewater State College, graduating in 1961.

Irene began her teaching career in fourth grade at Blackhawk Elementary in the newly established Sauk Prairie School District. It was at Blackhawk that she met Marvin Kirst when he stopped by on a sales call. They were soon engaged and were married on June 15, 1963, at the Mamre Moravian Church.

Irene took a break from teaching while raising three children, first in Madison, then relocating to Lake Mills in 1972. As her children grew older, Irene returned to teaching, with positions at MATC, Johnson Creek Area School District and for many years, various positions in the Lake Mills Area School District. While she was teaching in Lake Mills, she returned to UW-Whitewater and obtained a Master of Arts in Reading in 1990.

Irene delighted in family activities, including camping as a family, especially in Door County, National Wildlife Summits in North Carolina and Colorado and other family vacations. Later in life, highlights were the many trips to spend time with children and grandchildren in New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Iowa and close by in Lake Mills. She was passionate about reading stories to and baking with her grandchildren. She was happiest when she was sharing her time and talents with them.

During her 53-year marriage with Marv they were graceful partners at Lake Mills Dance Club, sailed Rock Lake and enjoyed travels to Central Europe, Great Britian, Ireland, and Alaska.

Fond of baking, Irene specialized in pies made from scratch. She made sure to regularly bake Marv's favorites, cherry pie with precision lattice and Door County cherries, and classic mincemeat pie.

Irene was adept at knitting and sewing and competed at Wisconsin state 4H in sewing. She sewed complicated clothing, including helping to create wedding dresses for her daughter and granddaughter, as well as many other projects.

Irene was also adept at gardening and always planted verdant vegetable gardens and flower beds.

Irene was a long-time member of the Lake Mills Moravian Church, and other Moravian congregations, serving as an Elder, Sunday School teacher, Director of Summer Camps, and participating in Women's Fellowship, many Market Days and singing joyfully in the choir.

Survivors include her children, Kevin (Sarah) Kirst, Kristine (Sean) Steinke, Kenneth Kirst (Karen Gummo); eight grandchildren, David Kirst, Thomas Kirst, Solomon Steinke, Rebekah (Nathaniel) Kaufman, Ruth Steinke, Simeon Steinke, Abigail Kirst, Emma Kirst; great granddaughter Kaufman; beloved sister Lila (Altenburg) Painter and other relatives and friends.

Irene was predeceased by her parents, husband, brother William Altenburg and brother-in-law Larry Painter.

A private family burial was held at the Mamre Moravian Cemetery.

A memorial service for Irene is planned for 2:00pm, November 11, 2023, at the Lake Mills Moravian Church.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Lake Mills Moravian Church, Lake Mills Aztalan Historical Society or Mamre Moravian Church.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com