Irene B. (Dahl) Riehle

Irene Betty Ann Riehle, 85, Athens, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

She was born August 29, 1936, in Wausau, daughter of the late Harry and Lucy (Felzkowski) Dahl.  On August 4, 1956, she married Herbert Riehle at St. Francis Catholic Church, Merrill.  He preceded her in death on April 6, 2018.

Irene attended Maine School and Wausau High School.  She worked many jobs throughout her life including Kozy Korner in Merrill, The Palms Supper Club in Wausau, dairy farming, working in ginseng gardens, babysitting, a caregiver, the St. Anthony’s School kitchen and the kitchen at Wausau Child Care.  Irene was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and most of all cherished being a homemaker.

Irene loved gardening, canning, polka music, puzzle books, feeding and watching the birds, cooking and baking.  She got many requests to make her delicious Fudge Meltaway bars which were her special recipe, and she made them for anyone that requested them.  She shared her recipe with others, but they never seemed to taste as wonderful as hers!  Above all she was so very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with all of them.

Survivors include her children, Shirley (Leon) Lewandowski, Portage, WI; Steven (Jean) Riehle, Merrill, WI; Scott Riehle, Wausau, WI; Susan (John) Kamenick, Mosinee, WI; Sally Ziech, Wisconsin Dells, WI; Stanley (Marcia) Riehle, Fenwood, WI; Stephen (Sara) Riehle, Wausau, WI; and Stacie (Frankie) Ziegel, Tomahawk, WI; 18 grandchildren, Mandy Butterworth, Travis (Mo) Williams, Kelli (Nick) Weinberger, Christopher (Kristen) Lewandowski, Tyler (Chelsea) Riehle, Ashley (Chris) Riehle, Brandon (Katrina) Riehle, Brett (Brenna) Riehle, Brittney Riehle, Dylan (Ashley) Kamenick, Melaney (Lukas) Kamenick, Kaitlyn (Ben) Cummings, Zachary Ziech, Madilyn Ziech, Lilyan Ziech, Courtney Harris, Sami Riehle and Sophie Riehle,12 great grandchildren, son in law Bruce Abt, and sister in law, Coletta Mader.  She is also survived by her loving cat Sneakers, this special homeless kitty wandered into her house one day and she gave her a very loving home, she loved her so much!

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Sherrie Abt, stepfather Raymond Fellbaum, brother in laws John Riehle, Arnold Riehle, Jerry Mader and Frank Ley, sister in laws Esther Ley, Rita Riehle and Merceda Riehle.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Noon, Monday, August 29, 2022, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens.  The Rev. George Graham will preside.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.