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Irene Kress Obituary
Irene Gail "Billie" Daniell Kress, 86, Allouez, passed away peacefully, Sunday afternoon, June 19, 2016 at her home, surrounded by family, loved ones, and her little buddy, Chester, at her side.
Billie was born July 20, 1929 in Green Bay, to William Irving (Irv) and Hulda Armeda (Mabel) Daniell. She attended Howe Elementary, Washington Junior High and Green Bay East High School, graduating in 1947. She then attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN, graduating in 1951.
Billie worked in Wausau for several years before marrying James Kress in 1953 and moving to San Diego. They returned to Green Bay in 1955 where Billie lived until her passing.
Throughout her nearly 87 years of life, Billie loved spending time in her garden and on her front porch, summers at the Fish House and Monday lunches with her sons at Café Espresso.
She enjoyed attending the Green Bay Symphony and trips to Door County for American Folklore Theater and Peninsula Music Festival. Throughout her life, she traveled the world with family and friends.
Billie also enjoyed Sewing Club with her lifelong friends, PEO, AAUW, learning foreign languages such as German, Italian and Swedish, knitting and crocheting, golf and tennis. In the last decade, Billie was especially proud of attending her weekly Pilates classes with Carlyn.
In addition to her philanthropic generosity, Billie had a personal connection to numerous charities, including Family Service, Literacy Council, Golden House, Willow Tree, Howe Family Resource Center, NEW Community Shelter, Boys and Girls Club, Green Bay Botanical Garden, Door County Land Trust, Green Bay Symphony, UWGB, NWTC, YWCA, YMCA, Brown County Library, National Railroad Museum, Brown County Historical Society, Meyer Theater, Heritage Hill, Northeastern Wisconsin Arts Council, Rawhide Boys Ranch, Lac Baie Girl Scout Council, Green Bay hospitals, and Bellin College of Nursing. She was also devoted to her alma mater, Carleton College.
Above all, Billie cared deeply for her family. She cherished holidays with her children and grandchildren. "Meemser" or "Mimi" loved attending, supporting and encouraging her grandkids in all of their activities and sporting events.
Billie is survived by her children, William Kress, John Kress, Meg (Barry) Grunwald, and Virginia Kress; grandchildren, Jack and George Kress, Francesca and Ayla Kress, Wesley and Elizabeth Grunwald, Lucas Pearson, Charles Mogan, and Amber Casper. She is also survived by one sister, Roberta (Bobbi) Elliott, and many special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Irv and Hulda, two sisters, Virginia and Marcia, and an infant daughter, Jamie Louise.
Visitation is scheduled on Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at the Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay. A short prayer service will close the evening at 8:00.
A memorial service will take place at Union Congregational United Church of Christ, 716 S Madison St, Green Bay, Friday morning, June 24, 2016, at 11:00 AM with Rev. Bridget Flad officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Literacy Green Bay, 424 S Monroe Ave, Green Bay, or the Phuture Phoenix Scholarship Program, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay.
Ryan Funeral Home of De Pere is assisting with arrangements. Please go to www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Kress family.
The family would like to thank Billie's special friend, Jo-Jo, for her many years of caring, companionship, and friendship that goes beyond words. And most recently, the team from Nurse Next Door for caring, assisting and guiding Billie these last few months.
They kept her house in order, her appointments on time, and provided kind, loving care to Billie until her very last breath. "We couldn't have done it without all these special people."
To Mom: Thank you for everything you have done for us. We are so proud of you and all the good you've done in your life. We are lucky to have had you as our mom.
We will love you forever.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Irene Kress
Sponsored by Ryan Funeral Home & Crematory - De Pere.
David Floodstrand
June 26, 2016
My sincerest condolences.
Mary Carlson
June 25, 2016
I enjoyed working for and knowing Billie for 20 years. She was a kind and generous person and a great friend. My heartfelt condolences to the family .
Mark & Colleen Boland
June 24, 2016
Will:
Moms are very special people, treasure all the wonderful memories.
carl & Betty Fiala
June 24, 2016
Virgina very sorry to here of the loss of your mother.
Patti Watts
June 23, 2016
I send my deepest sympathy to the Kress family. She was a wonderful, caring person. She was very good and kind to my mother "Gigi" and Cheryl. I know my mother and Cheryl enjoyed staying in touch over the years and having lunch at Kroll's once in awhile. She will surely be missed by all.
Billie presenting her award
Kathy Cornell
June 23, 2016
Dear Kress family---
On behalf of the staff, Board, tutors and learners at Literacy Green Bay, I offer our condolences to you. Billie was truly our Friend of Literacy! She was a tutor for us in the 1980's and remained a longtime advocate and supporter of adult literacy. Our Literacy Advocate Award is named for her, and for many years, she would present this award at our annual breakfasts to the next recipient. She leaves behind an incredible legacy. We join you in missing her.
Ted Egge
June 23, 2016
On behalf of USW local 1096, please accept our most sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family during this most difficult time.
Sincerely,
Ted W Egge
Frida Kumar
June 22, 2016
Dear Kress Family: Billie was one of my favorite friends from our brief few months together in 1984, learning German in the intensive program at UWGB and then visiting Germany for a month together that January. Her youthful curiosity, intelligence, warmth and humor drew her into our circle of friends and we had a blast together. Now, I'm about the age she was when she joined our group of largely 20 year olds. I'm inspired to embark on a similar adventure myself. Here's to her love of life and perpetual youth. What a great person. All my best, -Frida Kumar (nee Ebbeson)
Mike Duschene
June 22, 2016
Dear Kress Family,
On behalf of the entire ASPIRO family our heartfelt condolences. Your mother and grandmother helped so many people in need. Her legacy of understanding, sensitivity, kindness and generosity will live on forever.
June 22, 2016
Dear Kress family,
Jim and I send our sympathy, we so enjoyed having Billie as our back door neighbor all the years we lived in Allouez. Jim and Karen Lacey
Carter Moore
June 22, 2016
Will, Jack & George,
Your mother and grandmother was obviously a great lady. I know you will miss her. My heartfelt condolence is with you.
Gary & Pam Picard
June 22, 2016
Dear Kress Family,
Please accept our condolences in the loss of your dear mother. You will be in our prayers.
With sympathy and friendship,
Traxy Arndt
June 22, 2016
I will always remember our conversations at The Heel, where, somehow, we would often meet buying shoes! Billie is a community icon, and with good reason, generous, kind, interested and interesting, funny and caring. Very sorry for this loss in your family.
Cher Sandmire
June 22, 2016
My deepest condolences. She will be missed.
Jayne Broeren
June 22, 2016
John, I'll always remember her smile, and her inquisitive, open, and fun nature. I'm sorry for your loss.
Janusz Kuzma
June 21, 2016
Our Condolences to the Kress Family . It was an Honor to know Her. RIP Billie.
Barb Forsberg
June 21, 2016
The world is a better place because she worked to make it so. I'm very sorry for your family's loss.
Tricia Knaus
June 21, 2016
My condolences. Billie was a great individual. Her home became my second home these last months. I will truly miss her.
Rachael Gugluizza
June 21, 2016
God Bless.
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