Irene Ruth Ascher passed away on December 21, 2014 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born on November 13, 1922 in Haskell, Texas to Richard and Martha Kretschmer and was raised on their family farm. She was educated at the Irby Community School and the Mattson High School. Irene then pursued training as a registered nurse at the Herman Hospital associated with the University of Houston. Following completion of her nursing training she served as an Ensign in the United State Navy during WW II. Her nursing career had her serve in Houston TX, Lena Illinois Community Hospital, St. Claire Hospital in Monroe WI and as a private duty nurse.
Irene was married to Dr. Leonard Thompson in 1949 and together they operated the Lena Community Hospital until Leonard's death in 1954. She continued to nurse for many years, but devoted much of her time to her family including many nieces and nephews who enjoyed her visits or staying at her home for a visit. She remarried in 1978 to John S. Ascher and they enjoyed life together and traveling until john's death in 1987 after which she continued to devote time to family and friends.
She was poeceeded in death by her parents; her husbands, Leonard and John; sisters, Erna Straub, Lily Battig, Hilda Baldwin and Gertrude Wittenborn; and step-daughter Kathryn Mackes. She is survived by step-son Michael Ascher(Brit); step-grandchildren, Alison Webber, John Ascher, Molly Luthiger and Michael Mackes; and nieces and nephews, Jimmy Wittenborn, Judy Campbell, Leslie Wittenborn, Karen Sawey, Jack Baldwin, Rosie Dowding, Diane Follstaedt, Jan Evans, Robert Straub and Richard Straub.
Special thanks to the staff of Sienna Crest and Sienna Meadows in Oregon, WI, and Southern Care Hospice and to Richard and Margaret Straub who provided excellent care of Irene during her illness. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, August 8 at the Oakland Cemetery , Freeport, Illinois at 10:30 AM. She will be interred next to her husband John. Memorials in honor of Irene can be designated to the charity of one's choice.