ForeverMissed
Large image
 
We wanted to thank everyone that attended Irene's memorial. It was wonderful to share memories of her with all of you.  
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to Children's Hospital. 
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
One winter Jeff and Mike made a sledding hill. All the kids took turns going down. Then Irene decided that she would go down the hill too. She always was up for having fun and being outdoors.
January 25, 2020
January 25, 2020
Irene was such a special person who will greatly be missed by everyone.
We got to know Irene and Bob thru all of the Ryan parties. She and Bob made you fell at easy around them. Her great smile said it all. 
Lou and Sue Jones
January 11, 2020
January 11, 2020
Irene's Legacy of Love, Kindness, Graciousness and Acceptance will be perpetuated by our three mutual Grandchildren, who are Double Cousins.
December 29, 2019
December 29, 2019
All too often a mother’s legacy is only created behind closed family doors; An elegant family favorite meal, clean clothes to wear to school, or a gentle hug at the end of a difficult day. Absolutely she did these things without a doubt. But perhaps more important and left for all the public to witness is one that Irene created to near as perfect as any. A loving family of incredible integrity that will carry on her gentle nature for years to come. Natalie and I feel honored to share them all as friends.  God bless her, Bob, and that wonderful family I speak of.
December 27, 2019
December 27, 2019
Aunt Irene was the most gracious women I knew. She made you feel welcome and at home. For a couple of years I was a next door neighbor and dropped by many times for visits. She was always smiling and happy to see me. Her Chicken Paprikash and Beef Bourguignon was delicious.
December 23, 2019
December 23, 2019
 The first time I saw her, she was a cheerleader at a D.U. football game. Oct. 1950. Months later, her twin sister Arlene started dating my fraternity brother and the arranged a date for Irene and me. She wasa lovely young lady, and had many things to accomplish before getting serious with anyone.. She became a stewardess with United air Lines in 1952 and used me as a Date for her friends and self sometimes . we remained good friends until the fall of 1952.When after several dates, she was being push toward a marriage she didn't want. On our last date she confessed her doubts. I listened for an hour while she confessed her misgivings to me. Finally asking me what she should do? My first silly answer was, " Why don"t you marry me" Then her surprised question---" Do you mean that ? I . Believing she would reject my reply I was stunned by her question and sat quietly for a moment , then I said " yes " " Her reply was ' O , K. and it lasted 66 wonderful years. 
December 21, 2019
December 21, 2019
Denver, Colorado – Irene Wogrin died on December 12, 2019 at her home, surrounded by her family as she always preferred.

Irene was born near Yuma, Colorado on May 17, 1930, shortly after her twin sister Arlene. They were the last two of six children of John Wesley and Eleanor Marie Southwell. In 1941 her family settled in Denver where she lived most of her life.

Irene is survived by Bob, her loving husband of 66 years; sisters Betty Joyce and Arlene Lyall; her five children Pam Kennedy, Robert (Joanna), Chris (Robin), Jeff (Kimi) and Mike (Elena); twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Perry and Jay, and sister Lorna O’Neal.

Leave a Tribute

Light a Candle
Lay a Flower
Leave a Note
 
Recent Tributes
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
One winter Jeff and Mike made a sledding hill. All the kids took turns going down. Then Irene decided that she would go down the hill too. She always was up for having fun and being outdoors.
January 25, 2020
January 25, 2020
Irene was such a special person who will greatly be missed by everyone.
We got to know Irene and Bob thru all of the Ryan parties. She and Bob made you fell at easy around them. Her great smile said it all. 
Lou and Sue Jones
January 11, 2020
January 11, 2020
Irene's Legacy of Love, Kindness, Graciousness and Acceptance will be perpetuated by our three mutual Grandchildren, who are Double Cousins.
Her Life

A life lived fully

December 20, 2019
Irene was born May 17, 1930, 15 minutes behind her twin sister, Arlene. They were the last two of the six children of John Wesley and Eleanor Marie Southwell. Being born in a humble homestead on the eastern plains of Colorado during the dust-bowl and the great depression was an inauspicious way to start life, but it ultimately helped shape who she was. After moving into the nearby town of Yuma for several years, the family settled in Denver in 1941 where Irene lived most of her life.  
Irene attended Denver East High School and later attended Denver University (DU) where she graduated with a BA degree in Business. Following college, she studied fashion design in Chicago and worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines. After her children were older, she had a successful career as an Interior Designer.  
While in college, Irene met Bob Wogrin through a friend of her sister, Arlene. She and Bob were good friends for several years before he surprised her with a marriage proposal - she surprised him by saying yes. That started a 66-year journey of being best friends, lovers and partners, right to the end. They raised five kids with equal parts respect, discipline and fun.    
Irene was a wonderful mixture of ultimate kindness, empathy and tough-as-nails tenacity when faced with adversity. She was a team player and always was willing to step in when it was needed. She, at times, may have appeared meek but was born with a sensory seeking gene that was always ready to tackle the next adventure. Never one to miss a party, she would book multiple parties in a single day. (or dates, I was told).
Life with Irene was an adventure. Whether it was taking the family on road-trips across the country, getting the first glassy water-ski run of the morning, golfing with her longtime friends, or playing dress-up with her grandchildren, she always embraced it with enthusiasm. She and Bob worked as ski instructors at Geneva Basin for years, mostly so the family could ski together. Through their marriage they designed, built and decorated two unique custom homes for themselves and the family.  
Recent stories

Bob and Irene's meeting

December 26, 2019
The first time I saw her, she was a cheerleader at a D.U. football game in  Oct. 1950. Months later, her twin sister Arlene started dating my fraternity brother and they arranged a date for Irene and me. She was a lovely young lady, and had many things to accomplish before getting serious with anyone.. She became a stewardess with United air Lines in 1952 and used me as a date for her friends and herself sometimes. We remained good friends until the fall of 1952.
When after several dates, she was being push toward a marriage she didn't want. On our last date she confessed her doubts. I listened for an hour while she confessed her misgivings to me. Finally asking me what she should do? 
My first silly answer was, " Why don"t you marry me?" 
Then her surprised question, " Do you mean that?"
I, believing she would reject my reply, was stunned by her question and sat quietly for a moment , then I said "Yes".
Her reply was '"OK" - and it lasted 66 wonderful years. 
December 22, 2019
My thoughts are with you.You had a wonderful life together. You both have a special place in my thoughts for being such wonderful people. Jim Flemin

Invite others to Irene's website:

Invite by email

Post to your timeline