Irene Jeane Boland

Irene Jeane (Kozarek) Boland, 96, formerly of Mount Royal Pines, died at Bayshore Health Center on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004. Born Aug. 12, 1908, Irene was the eldest daughter of Duluth pioneers I. George and Frances (Sternal ) Kozarek. She graduated from Central High School, Duluth Business University and attended Superior State Teachers College. As a businesswoman, she began a career as a legal secretary in Duluth. She continued to work in law offices in Miami and Iowa City after her marriage to Patrick H. Boland in 1933. During World War II, she was employed in the Administrative Dept. of the Atomic Energy Commission's Manhattan Project at the University of Chicago. Later, Irene and her husband embarked on a series of business ventures including owning an automobile dealership and the Silver Coach Supper Club in Stevens Point, Wis. Moving to Superior, they were owners of the Old Town Bar and Cafe. Irene was a member of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior and more recently St. Mary Star of the Sea in Duluth. She had been active with the Superior Rockmont Garden Club, Fairlawn Auxiliary, the DAVA, University of Wisconsin Founders Club, Gold Star Wives of America, and the Catholic Daughters of America Court 1190. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Patrick; brothers, Chester and Leonard; and a sister, Bernice (Kozarek) Chesney. Survivors include her sister, Lucille Bradish of Duluth; a brother, Dr. C.E. 'Bob' (Pat) Kozarek of Tomah, Wis.; a sister in-law, Frances Ryan Kozarek of Duluth; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Bayshore and the St. Mary's Hospice personnel who treated Irene with great dignity and kindness. FUNERAL SERVICE:1:30 p.m. Thursday in Dougherty Funeral Home, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd Street.