Jean Carol Irish

BAGLEY - Jean Carol (Hoffman) Irish was born on June 4, 1935, to Earl & Beatrice Hoffman with sisters Marion, LaVon, Lois, & JoAnn and Wyleen (Eunice) 8 years later. The six sisters gathered with their families for holidays at the Hoffman home in Lancaster, and all the grandchildren vividly remember the sisters “debating” - solving the problems of the world.

Jean met Ken Irish in HS at Lancaster and tells the story of smashing an ice cream cone in his face on their first “date”, but they soon became high school sweethearts. Jean worked for Burlington Northern Railroad in Chicago while Ken attended University of Iowa till they married November 3, 1956. They welcomed children: Pamela (Myhre), Dan, Tom, Gary and Rob.

“Have suitcase will travel” – Jean & Ken loved travel with Jean as “chief map reader & nagigator” – to all 50 states, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, and Bahamas. “Out west” yearly for hot springs, hiking trails, and waterfalls. A month long, 10,000 mile Alaska adventure with the Millens in a small motor home. With her sisters to PA, MA, ME. To CA with sister Lois, & son Rob. She was the driver on trips with Pam, thru the ‘streets of San Francisco’, 6 lane freeway traffic in Los Angeles & the whole city of San Diego! In the 70’s Jean & Ken became official snowbirds, moving to Fort Pierce FL for 6 months/year. So much joy – fishing, shrimping, arcading, shopping and walking the beach. Often with Jean Doster & Jean Peppers – the infamous 3 Jeans! Back in WI, she loved to cook for family: big breakfasts, her “cavajeanie” & stuffed pizzas, not to mention Brandy Slushes.

“How can I help?” Jean lived a life of service at their family business with the Schiffmans - River of Lakes Resort in Bagley, manning the store, cleaning cabins & all laundry for 12 cabins every weekend, cooking for her family & a multitude of others who just “showed up at lunch time! She was a second mom to SO many at the resort! She taught CCD at St. Marys for years. She co-taught Impressionist Art with Charlene Osterhaus. She co-authored the published book “Bagley History Through the Years”. Was an active member of the Homemakers’ group in Bagley.

“A woman of many talents” Jean handmade individual Christmas ornaments for all her kids and grandkids for many years! She crafted: making candles, string art & macramé, crocheting, sewing curtains & gift bags & Barbie/GI joe clothes. Puzzled with crosswords daily. Jean loved the theater, especially APT in Spring Green. Loved the beach & ocean, and walking the jetty. Loved music, especially Ray Conniff singers, Neil Diamond and Elvis’s gospel music and encouraged all her kids to join band and choir and take piano lessons.

Survivors - who miss her dearly already - include her husband, Ken and sister Wyleen (Clark) High. Children: Pam (Scott) Myhre, Dan (Char) Irish, Tom (Lori) Irish, Gary Irish, Rob Irish. 11 grandchildren: Nathan Myhre, Andrea (Brandon) Day, Marc (Cari) Myhre, Sidra Amadon, Danyael Irish, Kelli (Charlie) Spaeth, Logan (Trinity) Irish, Tanner Irish, Blaine (Marissa) Irish, Danny Bo Irish & Caleb Irish. Greats include: Eli & Nora Day, Kenzie Myhre, Chloe & Carson Spaeth, Ellington & Kian Irish, Madelyn Irish.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington, on Saturday March 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with Father Sudhakar Devarapu officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the mass time of 1:00 p.m. and a luncheon to follow. Family burial with be held at a later date. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Bloomington is assisting the family.