Irene J. Damm

SUN CITY WEST - Irene J. Damm passed away peacefully on Nov. 7, 2016, with no regrets after a full and contented life. Her daughters were at her side. She was born in Chicago, Ill., on July 29, 1923, to William and Lillian (Dvorak) Garraughty. Irene met Robert (Bob) Damm when both were toddlers spending summers at their family cottages on Lake Wandawega in Wisconsin. Friendship turned to a deep and lasting love, and they married on April 15, 1944. Irene and Bob raised their family in Mundelein, Ill., where Irene served a number of years as the Fremont Township Assessor. She and Bob retired to Sun City West in 1987, where they were active members of the Ceramics Club. Irene was a great cook and a fantastic hostess who loved entertaining friends at their home. After Bob's death in 2000, Irene moved back to Illinois, returning again to Sun City West in 2009. She is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Jerry) Shanholtzer, of Sun City West, and Cynthia (Jim) Hupke, of DeKalb, Ill., all of whom will miss her humor and sage advice. She was a doting grandmother to Scott (Eileen) Shanholtzer, of Virginia, Michelle Hupke, of Illinois, Jennifer (Gordon) Murphy, of Maine, and Christopher (Gretchen) Hupke, of Illinois. Irene was "Grandma D" to her great-grandchildren, Tori, Matthew, Will, Lexi, Kate and Addison. Her sister, Evelyn "Pat" Hagan, of Iowa also survives; as do many nieces and nephews. Irene requested that no service be held and that her ashes, along with Bob's, be spread at Lake Wandawega, Wisc. She leaves to her children, and children's children, memories of happy, laughing times as they celebrate a life well lived.