Irene Elizabeth Fandel

1935 - 2014

Loving wife and mother, Irene Elizabeth (Waytko) Fandel, age 78, passed on Sunday, June 8, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. Irene took a courageous step in her battle with cancer by having a major liver surgery to remove the tumor. Brave, convicted and strong, Irene nearly conquered.
Irene is survived by her husband, Herman Fandel, and their four children Cori (Fandel) Mustin, Dave Fandel, Ralph Fandel, Michelle (Fandel) Plaza, grandchildren Tom Burks, Elizabeth Burks, Jonathan Burks, Camille Wood, Jessica Fandel and step-grandson Jeffrey Mustin. Irene was an only child whose parents Leslie (Ladislav Vojtku) Waytko and Elizabeth Susan Barok preceded her in death.
Born October 21, 1935, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, Irene was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school through grade 13. An accomplished violinist and trained dancer in ballet, tap, and modern dance, Irene was a lover of the arts. In the summer of 1954, Irene auditioned with violin at the Julliard School of Music and was accepted. Instead of attending Julliard, Irene chose to pursue acting and attended the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theater Arts. Within three years she completed both her Bachelor and Masters degrees in Theater. While attending Irene met and married fellow student Herman Fandel in 1958.
In 1968 Irene moved her family to Kenai. An avid hunter and fisherwoman, Irene loved Alaska. Irene worked for the Kenai Peninsula School District in the Special Service Department. She then taught drama, which included directing high school plays, taking students to statewide drama competitions, and winning many awards. During her last four years prior to retirement, she managed the Kenai Central High School Theater - handling school performances and professional entertainers.
In 1983, Irene opened the first bed and breakfast lodge on the Kenai Peninsula. In 1986, she and Herman started Alaska Guides, a professional fishing charter business that they worked throughout retirement. Alaska Guides and Irene's Lodge will continue to be run by her children Cori and David in tribute to Irene's entrepreneurial strength and vision.
Following her passion for theater, Irene became involved with the Kenai Performers in 1972. To honor her years of commitment and support, the Kenai Performers made Irene an honorary member of the Executive Board of Directors. Other loves and passions of Irene's were gardening, needlework, and creating stained glass. The most endearing of all her traits was her ability to collect people and turn them into ferociously faithful lifelong friends.
Friends are invited to attend a mass to be held for Irene at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at Our Lady of Angles Catholic Church in Kenai. Burial will follow the service at the Kenai City Cemetery.