Gertrude Irene Jarvi

Gertrude Irene Jarvi, 85, of Superior, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Twin Ports Health in Superior. Irene was born in New York on November 18, 1939, the daughter of Gertrude (Renvall) and Charles Saxberg.
After early life on the East Coast, Irene found her place in the Midwest where she raised her family and built a meaningful career as a alcohol & chemical dependency counselor. Her work in this field was significant and touched countless lives over decades of service. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Michael Jarvi; her siblings, Hazel and Daniel. She is survived by her daughters, Benella Jarvi and Donna Robbins; grandchildren, Jamie (Matthew) Gibson, Lindsey Jarvi, Jolene Snell, Jonella Titus, Brandon Sterling, and Jonah Titus; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and a special friend and colleague, Dennis Cummings.
As the family sought the words to express how beloved Irene was to her loved ones and community, they found the words had already been written. In 2004, when Irene was nominated for Counselor of the Year that she would go on to receive, her impact was beautifully captured in the following nomination letter written by her dear friend Dennis. As Irene now flies with her angels, may the world know she was also one on earth to many.
Letter of Nominator for Irene Jarvi, 2004 Minnesota Counselor of the Year - by Dennis Cummings
I have heard it said that gratitude takes three forms: A feeling in the heart, an expression in words, and a giving in return. This has rarely been more illustrated than in the following candidate that I am nominating for Counselor of the Year, Irene Jarvi. Irene has been serving in the field of chemical dependency for 29 years. Not one but 29 years of service over and above the three areas of criteria cited for the requirements of this nomination. Irene began in 1975 in Superior, Wisc. facilitating aftercare, speaking at the treatment center and serving as secretary for the Douglas County Chemical Dependency Board. Irene remembers asking one of the counselors, "What do you have to do to become a counselor?" He slid his glasses down his nose; paused, looked up at her and said, "When can you start?" The candle was lit that would go on to the light the world of oh, so many. In 1977 Irene became a counselor in the Douglas County Outpatient Program and went on to become the counselor trainer in the certified-training program that produced so many of today's leaders and highly skilled, dedicated counselors working in the field of chemical dependency.
What Johnny Appleseed did for apples, Irene did for chemical dependency in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Irene has spread her seeds of vast knowledge, special skills, wisdom, diverse experience, enduring strength, thoughtful compassion, phenomenal insight, unwavering faith, inspirational hope, unconditional love and sacred spirit to the following regions: Fountain Center in Albert Lea, Minn. and their satellite offices in Forest Lake, Iowa as an inpatient treatment counselor, counselor trainer and counselor supervisor, and the Miller-Dwan Hospital in Duluth, Minn. where Irene was the family counselor. Irene returned to the Recovery Center in Douglas County, Wis. as a supervisor writing policies & procedures, facilitated the family education program, was the counselor trainer and also trained after-care facilitators. St. Olaf's Hospital-based program in Austin, Minn, working with MI/MR chemically dependent and as the counselor/supervisor, developed policies & procedures and facilitated the Adult-Children Education Program. Irene served the Iron Range area at the Arrowhead Center in Virginia, Minn., specializing as the relapse prevention counselor and wrote policies and procedures. Lutheran Social Services in Washburn, Wis. as the outpatient counselor, delivering services in the county jail and serving in their satellite offices in Iron River and Cable, Wis.
Writing policies and procedure; Developing innovative programs; Working with adults, juveniles, adult-children, al anon, alateen and families; Working with mental health, people with cognitive or physical disabilities; Fighting to break down social stigmatisms & barriers to treatment; Starting relapse programs; Listening for hours and hours; Challenging inequitable systems; Pioneering early when there were few women in the field; Reading every book ever printed and keeping them until moving her became almost impossible; Raising the bar for all of us. Irene has championed for ethical practices and instilled value-based core competencies in volunteers, trainees, counselors, supervisors and administrators. From facilitating aftercare to achieving her LADC, CADCIII in Wisconsin, IC & RC/AODA, International certification, Irene is always hungry to learn more and improve her skills and abilities and unselfishly pass along what she has learned.
The number of clients, families, generations, counselors and communities that have been touched by Irene's presence and tireless efforts are countless and immeasurable. One indicator may be how one is perceived by her peers. To illustrate this, I remember attending the MARRCH conference with Irene for the first time. I was going to show her around and introduce her to people. However, every step we took was, "Irene, it's so good to see you" followed by a big hug, one person after another. One thing was very clear; these people wanted Irene to know how much she contributed to their successful careers, and they appreciated the positive influence she was in their personal and professional lives; they loved her; social workers, counselors, administrators, trainers and former clients. It was an incredible thing to witness and experience. You knew and felt that you were in the presence of someone very, very special and yes, I repeat, many said they loved her. Love, a word that is becoming more scarcely used these days in the workplace, but not for Irene or her peers. When the 2002 Counselor of the Year recipient Roger Sayen stepped up on the podium, Roger began by acknowledging Irene Jarvi and saying, "If not but for Irene Jarvi and Gail Mallard, I would not be standing here today." And yes, he said he loved her several times and he thanked her.
Is Irene slowing down in the twilight of her career after 29 years of service? Irene's office hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. However, more times than not you will see her car parked in the lot well before 7:00 am and well after 6:00 pm...and some nights, 6:00 pm would be an early quit. Irene is currently working full-time dedicated to running the Extended Care Program and the Bethel's Port Rehabilitation Center in Duluth. The successful completion rate has averaged consistently around 10-15% above the state average for this very difficult to serve chronic adult male population. Those who know Irene are not surprised. I have been reminded that the single most important way to become successful in life is to have a great coach or a great mentor, that's Irene. Irene has never sought recognition and everything she gives comes from her heart. As Irene ponders her retirement, her presence for many has been the difference and the change is for forever.
At Irene's request, no public service will be held. Memorials may be sent to Downs Funeral Home in Superior, Wis.