Full Obituary

     IRENE L. GATZ, age 91, of Greenwood, WI, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020 at Riverside Assisted Living in Neillsville, WI.  A graveside service will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at the Greenwood City Cemetery, with Rev. Patsy Roe officiating.
     Irene Louise Griswold was born on May 5, 1929 in Woodstock, IL, to John W. and Florence (Briggs) Griswold.  She was raised and received her education in Woodstock, IL where she graduated from high school.  Irene was united in marriage to Alvin H. Schultz on May 16, 1947 in Belvidere, IL  They farmed in Belvidere, IL until February 1958, and then moved to a farm southwest of Greenwood, where she farmed with her husband and did babysitting  In 1970, Irene began foster parenting, which she did for many years.  Her husband, Alvin, died on October 27, 1974.  She remained on the farm and later married John M. Gatz on March 19, 1976 in Greenwood.  He died on January 18, 2005.  At the age of 60, she went back to school and completed her G.E.D.   Irene remained in her home until 2015, and then moved to Black River View Apartments in Greenwood.  In 2018 Irene moved to Riverside Assisted Living, in Neillsville, where she resided until her death.
     She was a member of the former Grace United Methodist Church, in Greenwood, where she was very active and sang in the choir.  After the church closed, Irene attended Loyal United Methodist Church.  She was a former member of the Clark County Choraliers and had been a 4-H Leader.
     Irene had many interests, but especially loved spending time with her family and many friends, and sewing.
     She will be dearly missed by 3 children: Gary (Rochelle) Schultz of Almond, WI, Connie Green of Energy, IL; and Robert Gatz of Belvidere, IL; 2 step-children: Suzanne (Al) Bredlau of Neillsville, and Cheryl (Geb) Weizenegger of Fort Wayne, IN; 14 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; one brother: Tom (Alice) Griswold of Sun City, AZ; 4 sisters: Margaret Hahn of Marengo, IL, Beverly (Ken) Francis of Green Valley, AZ, Nancy (Marv) Cairns of Belvidere, IL, Rita (Bill) Rudzena of Johnsburg, IL; one sister-in-law: Diane Griswold of Springville, TN; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
     Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Alvin and John; 2 grandsons: David Weizenegger and Gary Schultz, Jr.; one great grandson: Tucker Bredlau; 3 brothers: Bob, Charles and John Griswold; and 4 sisters: Margery Erber, Shirley Mansfield, Dorothy Cardono, and Jeanie Kruetzer.