Irene Haapanen

Irene Haapanen, 92, of Waukegan, IL died on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Kindred Kenosha South Nursing Home in Kenosha. She was born March 20, 1920 in Chisolm, MN. She married Verner "Ben" Haapanen of Finlayson, MN on May 3, 1941 and together they moved to Waukegan, IL. She was a longtime member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Waukegan. Irene began her career as a School Teacher at age 20 in Minnesota where she taught in a one room school house. She taught for many years in Waukegan at Thomas Jefferson Jr. High School and retired from teaching at Jack Benny Jr. High School. Irene enjoyed her winters at her home in Lake Worth, FL. Survivors include two sons Jerry (Kathrine) Haapanen of Waukegan, IL and Richard (Linda) Haapanen of Beach Park, IL; one daughter Beatrice Haapanen of Chicago, IL; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Verner "Ben" Haapanen in 2003 and by one sister Beatrice Sironen. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3350 N. Delaney Road, Waukegan, with Pastor Jeffrey Koth Officiating. Private interment will be later at Northshore Garden of Memories, North Chicago. Visitations will be Wednesday, October 31st, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, and on Thursday morning from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the Church. In lieu of flowers memorials to St. Mark's Evangelical Church have been suggested.