Irene Slifka, 95

Jan. 26, 1929 - 

Feb. 5, 2024

 

CRESCO - Irene Catherine Slifka, 95, died Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 while under the care of Bishop Drumm Retirement Center, Johnston, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at Notre Dame Catholic Church with Father Jacob Rouse officiating.  Visitation is from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church before the service.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.  

Irene was the youngest of seven children born to Emil and Anne (Benson) Borseth. She was strong - living her early life in the midst of the Great Depression and suffering the loss of her mother at age nine. 

She graduated from Cresco High School in 1947. On June 23, 1948, Irene Borseth married Daniel Slifka at the Assumption Catholic Church parsonage. Her mother-in-law, Anne Slifka, helped fill the void left by her mother's death.  Irene and Daniel had two children – Daneille Slifka of Windsor Heights and Darrell of State Center.  Daniel and Irene built their home on the corner of 8th Avenue in  Cresco where they lived for more than four decades next to their beloved neighbors, the Vachtas.  For most of her life, Irene resided in Howard county, until moving to the Des Moines metro area in the middle of the Covid outbreak.  

Irene was a dedicated mother and grandmother until the very end. She was always concerned about the health and welfare of her family and friends. She converted to Catholicism while dating Daniel; her faith was very important to her. Irene worked diligently inside and outside the home. She was employed by Farmer’s Coop Creamery, the Times Plain Dealer, Harrison's Variety Store and the Howard County Care Facility.  She was an excellent bookkeeper. She enjoyed coffee (to the end,) baking, and especially spending time with family. She was handy at embroidery and crocheting. Her signature food items were potato salad, lefse and divinity.

She is survived by her daughter Daneille Slifka, son Darrell and daughter-in-law Heather, granddaughters Celene, Sydney, and Shay Slifka and Hannah and Rachel Cline as well as  nieces, nephew and cousins.  

She was preceded in death husband, Daniel Slifka; her parents, two sisters (Alice and Agnes) and four brothers (Elmer, Emmett, and twins - Melvin and Marvin), daughter-in-law Cheryl (Pollock) Slifka, as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Memorials may be given to Notre Dame Catholic School, 221 2nd Ave. E, Cresco, Iowa 52136 or to the family.