Irene Ruth Forster

Irene R. Forster (nee Draeger) was born on September 3, 1926. She was the 5th child of Herman and Olga (Rades) Draeger. Irene was 3 when the Great Depression began and always believed one had to work harder to survive. She graduated from Marion High School in 1944. Irene met Dad at a wedding reception-he asked her to dance and 6 months later they married on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1947. They were blessed with 72 years of marriage. They built 3 houses, had 3 daughters and many years of enjoying family and friends.

Irene is survived by 2 daughters: Patricia (Robert) De Bruin and Jan Lori (David) Vogeler; six grandchildren, Kristen (Scott) Everson, Rob (Anna) De Bruin, Caitlin (Tim) Singler, Megan (Harrison Holman) Vogeler, Andrew (Kacy) Vogeler and Bradley Vogeler; five great-grandchildren, Alex, Cadence and Nicholas Everson; Jack Singler and Baby Girl De Bruin, and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Clifford; an infant daughter Susan Kay; her parents, all of her siblings.

Irene was a farmgirl at heart-she loved her God and her family, but Mom’s passion was her flowers. She couldn’t wait for spring each year so she could make each flowerbed perfect and the world a little more beautiful.

Your faith made you strong and an example for your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Give Dad a hug from us…and enjoy dancing in those perfect heavenly gardens.

We love you Mom.

A funeral service will take place on Monday October 6, 2025, at 11:00am at Faith Lutheran Church, 601 E Glendale Ave, Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the church from 9:00am until the service begins. Irene will be laid to rest at Greenleaf Cemetery, Marion, WI.