Irene was born to Paul and Rose Frenzel in Dickinson, N.D. She graduated from North Dakota State University and her first job was doing speech therapy in the Port Huron, Mich., school system.

There, she met her future husband, Karl. They were married in Irene’s hometown of Dickinson and moved to Portland at the end of the school year in 1970.

She completed her masters degree at Portland State University and then worked as a special education teacher in the Portland school system. After leaving teaching she was a health plan coordinator for a Tigard family practice medical clinic.

Irene loved traveling, especially visiting family in North Dakota, South Dakota and Arizona. She also supported several animal care groups. She and her husband, Karl were long time members of St. Francis Catholic Church in S.E. Portland.

She is survived by her husband, Karl; brother, Les; and sisters, Mary Ann, Pat and Diane.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m., Saturday, December 22, 2018, at St. Francis Church.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the St. Francis Dining Hall and the Oregon Humane Society.