Irene Amanda Hochrein, age 95, of Berlin, died peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2014 at Berlin
Memorial Hospital.
She was born November 5, 1918 in Spring Lake, WI the daughter of Albert F. and Amanda Rieves Gelhar. She was a 1937 graduate of Berlin High School, attended Ripon College and graduated
from Oshkosh Business College. On May 23, 1942, she was united in marriage to Francis “Hooky” Hochrein in Milwaukee. They celebrated 71 years of marriage. Francis passed away on July 3, 2013.
Irene worked in the office at A.F. Gelhar Company for many years. She was an active member of the community, serving on the Board of Directors for Berlin Memorial Hospital and Oakwood Cemetery.
Volunteering was a big part of her life and she donated time to the Girl Scouts, Berlin Food Pantry, hospital, and Juliette Manor. She was a member of Friends in Council, Mascoutin Ladies Auxiliary,
and she enjoyed playing golf.
the years, as a past member of the Church Council, Joy Circle, Sunday School teacher and organist
for the Children’s Choirs. She was in the first confirmation class when the Grace congregation was
formed.
She is survived by their children, Paul (Judy) Hochrein, Terri (Harlen) Rosin and Ann Hochrein;
grandchildren, Clinton & Aaron Duhm, Sally Ann (Josh) Borland, Steven & Spencer Rosin; step-
grandchildren, Amanda (Mark) Crystal, Jeremy (April) Oakes, and Heidi (Shawn) Oakes; great-
grandchildren, Alexandria & Jagger; step-great-grandchildren, Alexis and Jeffrey John; her sister-in-
law, Ruth Gelhar; nephew, Jim (Pat) Gelhar; niece Nancy (Pat) Dallas. She was preceded in death
by her husband; parents; an infant daughter and infant grandson; and her brother, Harvey Gelhar.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace English Lutheran
Church, the Rev. Scott T. Piper officiating. Inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. There will
be a gathering of family and friends at the church on Friday morning from 9:30 until the time
of the services. Memorial donations may be given to the Berlin Food Pantry, or the Women of
Grace Lutheran Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel.
Online condolences for the family may be emailed to barbolafc@yahoo.com.