Irene Kazmierczak
Irene Kazmierczak of Florian, MN, was unexpectedly called home by God on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the age of 88 at Sanford Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family to be with Dad for their 70th wedding anniversary (October 25).
On May 9, 1936, Irene was one of 18 children born to John and Elizabeth (Mager) Woinarowicz in Drayton, ND, grew up on a farm west of Stephen, MN, along the Red River; to this day she never liked fish. She met John Kazmierczak Jr. at a Florian dance and was united in marriage on October 25, 1954, at her home church of St. Joseph’s Mission. To this union were 11 children. They started the first ½ of their family at John Kazmierczak Sr.’s farm west of Florian. In 1969, they moved to a farm site just south of the Florian Assumption Church where their family continued to grow. They raised dairy cattle, chickens, ducks, pigs and several pets. Although she was a homemaker and a mother of 11, she still made time to provide fresh baked bread and rolls; and unfortunately, she took the recipe with her. As a result of the fruits of her labor from her massive gardens, our pantry was always full of pickles, beets, tomatoes, pasta sauce, salsa, apricots, peaches, pears, and jams. She also took great pleasure in tending to her flower beds. Her children were given an allowance of $.10 a dozen to wash eggs to be sold. A way for her to provide clothing and school supplies for her children was butchering several hundred chickens and up to 75 ducks a year and selling them to the local community. We appreciated a Traditional Polish treat once duck butchering was finished for the season; we would enjoy Czarnina (duck soup). She also worked on a potato harvester in the fall for many years. We remembered her coming home from work and only being able to see the whites of her eyes, because she was so dirty from the field.
For fun, mom and dad loved to attend dances at the Florian Hall and the Meadowbrook Ballroom in Middle River. They also enjoyed participating in Whist tournaments at the Florian Hall.
After John passed in 1993, Irene remained on the farm, which transitioned from dairy cattle to beef and turned into Irene’s hobby farm. She was the caretaker of the bottle-fed calves that started her hobby farm. She took great pride in sewing blankets/quilts for her grandkids and great grandkids. Some were even fortunate enough to have received a down pillow from the ducks she raised. Her sewing projects included mending clothes, making rugs, blankets and pillows of all sorts, including pillows for her pets.
She looked forward to deer hunting season where she provided meals and a place to stay. On occasion, if you were lucky enough, you could enjoy some delicious homemade venison sausage. Her memories made from the visits were cherished tremendously and her hospitality was unconventional and welcoming to all.
She especially treasured spending time with her grandkids and great grandkids, letting those who lived far away spend weeks with her over the summer. Another exciting adventure was taking a trip to her homeland of Poland with her daughter and son-in-law in 2019.
In her later years with the origination of the Barn Kat Run, established in 2015, she was an active member of the support vehicle, following the sleds to stopping points and playing Polish Poker with all the snowmobilers. On her passing, she was made an honorary member of the Barn Katz.
She was a lifelong member of the PNA (Polish National Alliance) and encouraged her children to be a part of that culture, and also a member of the Assumption Ladies Society.
Irene is survived by 10 of her children, Theresa (Chuck) Walrath, Thief River Falls, MN, Betty Kazmierczak, East Grand Forks, MN, Mary (Craig) Hoglund, Overland Park, KS, Jo (Glenn) Roberts, Stockton, CA, Donald (Angie) Kazmierczak, Strandquist, MN, Veronica (Randy) Olson, New Folden, MN, Bernie (Marc) Turner, Fargo, ND, Bobby (Beth) Kazmierczak, Crookston, MN, Paulette (Neil) Goebel, Mankato, MN, and Keith Kazmierczak, Thief River Falls, MN. 24 grandchildren: Carolyn (Ben), Jonathan (Breanna), Kathryn (Trent), T.G., Kyllo, Amanda (Wayne), Josh (Maridel), Matt (Destiny), Lauren, Steve (Darcie), Zach (Katie), Justin (Kasey), David, Grant, Jaclyn (Joshua), Jessica, Samantha (Nick), Christopher, Jayden, John, (Emily), Jordan (Rielle), Owen (Emma), Eli, and Christine; 26 great-grandchildren: Ella, Westen, Oliver, Beckett, Piper, Sophie, Emma, Amaya, Jameson, Dominik, Braxtyn, Addilyn, Bentlee, Quinn, Freya, Jerrica, Nikki, Kieryn, Korbyn, Kamdyn, Keatyn, JJ, Nathan, Brooklyn, Sawyer, and Norah; 13 siblings- brothers, Duane, Ernie, John, Sylvester, and Mike; and sisters; Martha, Cecelia, Anna May, Dorothy, Judy, Marlene, Blanche, and Eleanor.
In addition to her husband of 38 blessed years, John Jr., Irene was preceded in
death by a son, Tom Kazmierczak; and siblings, Eddie, Leonard, Kay, and Phyllis.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 10:30 AM, in our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Florian, MN.
VISITATION: Friday evening, October 25, 2024, [70 years to-the-day she was married], starting at 5:00 PM; Rosary at 6:15 PM; Prayer Service at 6:30 PM; in Assumption, Florian; and one hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: Assumption Catholic Cemetery, Florian.
ARRANGEMENTS: DuBore Funeral Home of Warren, MN.
GUESTBOOK: www.DuBoreFuneralHome.com
