Irene Wells Treichel

Irene Wells Treichel died peacefully and gracefully at age 100 on August 17th, 2010 at the Attic Angels Rehab Center where she had been convalescing from injuries sustained in a fall.     Alice Irene Wells was born 2/15/1910 at the family farmstead near Footville, Wisconsin to Charles and Clara Wells.   She always spoke fondly of her years on the farm growing up with her brothers Elmer, Clifford, and Alvin and her sister Arlene, all of whom have preceded her in death.  Life was simple, but good and abundant.   Irene attended grade school at a one room schoolhouse (Spring Valley), and high school at Orfordville High      graduating at age 16 as valedictorian of her class.   She received a teaching certificate from Whitewater Teachers College, and taught grade school in Delavan. She then moved to Madison to attend Madison Business College.   For several years she worked as an executive secretary for Central Life Insurance Company and for the State of Wisconsin.     She met her husband to be, Paul Treichel, through a mutual friend and arranged a golf outing for their first date.   Although she lost the match (and had to treat him to dinner at Maders Restaurant in Milwaukee), she won his heart.   Irene and Paul were married in Madison on Dec 28th, 1935.   She raised five children while also handling the bookwork and office affairs for Paul's garage door business until he retired in 1971.   They were married over 57 years until Paul died in 1993.   She is survived by her five children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren:   Paul  (Isabel), their children David (Kathy) and Janet (Rob) McLean, and grandchildren Megan and Allen, Emily, Eddie, Sarah, and Kathryn;   Sandra (Frank) Greene, their children David, Eric, and Kari; Charles (Dianne), their children Amy (Ben) Brandt and Tara, and grandchildren Bryan and Eric;   William (Suzanne), their children Erika (Erich Schmidtke), Ellie (Brian) Schmitt , Mik, and Kristin, and grandchildren Otto and Willa, Sarah, Elise, and Julia; Debra (Darrell) Duerst, and their children Nick and Jennifer.   Irene lived through an amazing time spanning the lives of 18 presidents, the Great Depression, 6 wars, women's suffrage, the civil rights movement, and the development of the nuclear age, mass transportation, and high technology.   Although she had a keen interest in current events including world affairs, politics, and the stock market, her main focus of attention was her family.   She supported and attended her children's activities and sporting events.  She encouraged her children to excel in education.   Some of her fondest memories were family vacations to northern Wisconsin, New York City, Yellowstone, the Tetons, the Black Hills, Mexico, and most of all Naples, Florida.   She loved her home and her community in Shorewood Hills.    She welcomed get-togethers with friends and family for bridge and canasta, picnics, and square dancing.   She loved gardening and cross-stitching.   She was a great resource of common sense, wisdom, and comfort for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.   At her request, a private burial ceremony for the immediate family will be held in Orfordville on Saturday, October 2nd.   Afterwards, on October 2nd, relatives and friends are invited to Chip and Diane's house in Madison ( 5356 Lacy Road in Fitchburg) from 2-5 p.m. to celebrate her life.   Pictures and memories to share at that time would be most welcome.   Contributions in her memory may be directed towards her favorite charities, Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public TV, and the Salvation Army.