Irene Kaczmarski, 92, Cooperstown, ND, died Wednesday, December 16, 2015 in the Griggs County Care Center, Cooperstown, ND.

Irene was born December 14, 1923, north of Robinson, the daughter of Martha (Jasper) and Andrew Aichele. Her father drowned when she was seven months old. She grew up and attended school in Robinson and graduated from Robinson High School in 1942. After graduation, she went to Chicago where she worked for Sears and Roebuck and at a defense plant.

She married James Michael Kaczmarski on February 20, 1945 in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pettibone, ND. The couple made their home in Norfolk, VA while Jim finished his tour of duty in the Navy. At the end of the war in 1945, the couple moved back to Pettibone where Jim worked as a rural mail carrier and Irene worked at the Red Owl store. In 1977, they moved to Cooperstown, ND where Jim continued as a rural mail carrier, retiring in 1983. They remained very active in the community after his retirement. Jim passed away on January 4, 2001. Irene continued to make her home at the family house until November 2015 when she moved to Park Place Assisted Living.

Irene was very involved in both communities; teaching Sunday School, Ladies Aide, Trinity quilting group, Homemakers, Red Hats, Senior Citizens, and serving as an officer in numerous organizations, including the Eastern Lutheran Women's Conference, Rural Letter Carrier Auxilary, Homemakers, American Legion Auxilary, and she vounteered at “More for Less”. Irene enjoyed cooking (famous for her Kugan), gardening, lots of canning; playing cards especially pinochle, and sewing. She and Jim made a lot of crafts together, being awarded several grand champion ribbons at the fair.

She is survived by two sons; Byron, (Holly), Dayton, WA, Wally (Mary). Lisbon, ND; two grandsons, Michael (Amanda), Aric (RaeAnn); brother, Duane (Jeanne) Morrison, Robinson, ND; sister, Darlene (Bill) Carter, San Diego, CA; great grandchildren, Mariah, Addison, Gavin, foster great grandson, Norman Nelson and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; siblings, Johnny Aichele, David Aichele, Florene Morrison.

Funeral services will be Monday, December 21, 2015 at 2:00 pm in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Cooperstown, ND. Visitation will be Sunday, December 20, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home in Cooperstown, ND and one hour before services in the Church. Interment will be in the Pettibone Evangelical Cemetery, Pettibone, ND.