Today we celebrated the life of my Aunt Irene and it was such a wonderful tribute to a beautiful woman. I always admired her because of her grace and kindness and most especially her strength and courage. She lost my Uncle Ervin only a few days after having a baby and I can’t imagine the grief she endured. Her joyful dreams for bringing her baby home were met with tragedy and loss
Today I was reminded that she continued to keep Ervin’s family as her family. It took commitment and love to know how much we needed to continue to be a part of her family. She and Julius were at family gatherings and special occasions and they made an intentional effort to stay connected which I know was so special to my grandparents and my mom and her brothers.  I tease Ervin that he shares my blood line and that should make him just a little nervous ( self depreciation is my super power) but I am so thankful that Aunt Irene and Uncle Julius made sure we shared special times. Kim and Sharon are such beautiful reflections of their mom and while we do not share a blood line , they are family just the same 
So for all the lessons we learned from this wonderful woman I thank her for the gift of love and kindness and for keeping our family connected. The world is a better place thanks to you. May God continue to teach us through her love and sacrifice
Much love

Absolutely one of my favorite people in the world. When I first met Irene, she immediately reminded me of home. I loved visiting with her about our shared Czech heritage and playing 42 whenever we had the chance. Just being able to see her and talk to her was something I always looked forward to, and I am going to miss her terribly.

Aunt Irene had an impressionable and enduring positive impact on my life, dating back to my childhood and on into my early 20s. Aunt Irene spoke with love and understanding to me at a time when I didn’t necessarily understand life or even myself as a young man. I don’t remember all the specifics, but I will never forget how she made me feel loved and important, taking a sincere interest in me and setting time aside to talk with me. Aunt Irene’s disposition and messaging with me reinforced that of my mother, and her sister, Adele, who passed on to eternal life in 2009. I better understood and appreciated the importance of making my kids feel loved in their lives and being present for them, long before they were even born.

Irene believed in her family being together in the Faith – with love, compassion, and forgiveness. Irene’s focus was her family in a nurturing, caring, and influential manner – always enriching the family, resolving family matters, looking out for the betterment of the family, and protecting her family in a loving motherly fashion. 

Irene set aside her own agenda to surrender to a greater plan where God leads each of us to be who we really are and who we are supposed to be.
 
Let us pray earnestly that God grant His grace upon Irene, that she may encounter the fullness of eternal life with His Divine presence providing her peace. Amen. 

Quiet but mighty, sweet but firm, a guiding light for all of us. Irene was a woman before her time, always two steps ahead of the rest of us. In her own way, she inspired each of us to take care of each other and take care of our planet. Her legacy will always live on through the inspiration and influence she gifted to each of us.

Love, warmth, kindness, acceptance, respect. These are some of the words that reverberate in my soul when I think of Irene. I wasn't lucky enough to know Irene until I was 50 - but from the instant I met her, I discovered and experienced the tremendous depth and warmth of her love, her kindness, her curiosity, her acceptance and her respect for life and for others. As Ervin and I sat at the kitchen table and worked through the night on a lead4ward presentation (like high school students on a class project due the next day), Irene graced me with her love and accepted me - all of me - into her heart and into her family. I will never forget that night. She changed my life - for good! I am truly honored to know and love Irene - and to be known and loved by her! My gratitude is boundless for being welcomed into her family and her world. Rest in peace my dear Irene! I love you!

She was my aunt. She was always there to talk to and a very caring person. We have so many wonderful memories that will continue to live on. May God bless her and her family. I do love hot air balloons like her! I actually didn’t know that fun fact about her.

Irene was a happy person who must have never met a stranger. Her love and caring for others was always evident in the way she carried herself and struck up conversations with ease. She fit right in with the Kutach klan, all wonderful people. She seemed to always know what all of the "grandkid" generation were up to ! She will be a sister-in-law who will be missed greatly. May God Bless her, keep her, and offer her family the comfort that she would offer herself.   

The love shared by Irene was on display during the celebration of Irene's life, as it shown through clearly in the words and actions of her children and her grand-children. What a wonderful and blessed celebration !   

Irene was Mom to so many of us.  She was our friend and travel agent .  She raise some of the most wonderful human beings that she left to us to make our lives so much better with the life skills she taught them.  You will be missed in our daily lives but always in our hearts 

My mom is my guidepost. She has always been my biggest supporter, she encouraged me to take advantage of any opportunity to try something new, have experiences, explore, travel. She let me have space to make my own decisions, to take risks, to fail, to succeed. She was always there with a listening ear or to offer advice when asked. She was not overbearing but her presence was strong. Because of her, I know my value and I look to her as an example of strength. Even with her passing, I know she will continue to be my guidepost. She will be ever present in my thoughts and provide guidance as I continue to navigate this life and live a life well lived with no regrets. I love you Mom!

My mom was my best friend. She helped me become a strong independent woman. She taught me to be kind and compassionate. She encouraged me to take the time to do what makes my soul happy. She loved her kids and grandkids immensely. So many wonderful memories of my mom that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Love you always and miss you mama!!!!!!!!!!

My mom was my hero. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Even when we were miles apart, she just knew when something was wrong. She encouraged me to take risks, to never pass up an opportunity for joy, to travel, and to take care of others. Her legacy of love and power and hope will last generations. She adored her kids and grandkids. For those of you who knew her, thank you for being part of her life story. For those of you knew about her, know that she believed deeply in the ability of a single person to change the world.