Irene Cecilia Ciskowski, age 98 of Williams Bay, WI, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at Sherwood Lodge Assisted Living in Williams Bay, WI. She was born on November 7, 1922 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Stanley and Sophie (Zajonc) Wandas.
She attended Steinmetz High School in Chicago and was a secretary for her entire working life. One of her first employments was at the famed Chicago American Furniture Mart on North Lake Shore Drive in downtown Chicago. After WW II she was employed by Manpower and had assignments at General Motors and Playboy Enterprises.
Irene met her future husband, Edward J. Ciskowski, while on a date at the Aragon Ballroom located on Lawrence and Broadway in Chicago. Irene married Edward on April 22, 1944, in Chicago, IL. During WW II, Edward served with the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) at bases in several states, and finally at Hamilton Field in California. After they married, Irene joined him for a time, living in San Rafael. While there, Irene worked as a secretary at the base’s Quartermaster Depot. She left San Rafael, when she became pregnant with her daughter Marlene. She returned to Chicago to live with her parents. After the war, Irene and Ed lived and worked in and around Chicago, and also had a period farming near Bangor, Michigan. Afterward they lived in Niles, Wheeling IL, and in retirement, lived at Sherwood Lodge, until Ed passed away in 2012. Irene continued to live at Sherwood Lodge until her recent passing. Irene was a devote Catholic.
Irene is survived by her daughter, Marlene Ray of Delavan, WI; her son, Robert (Kathryn) Ciskowski of Concord, MA; granddaughter, Cheryl (Steve) Beinetti of Walworth, WI; and two great grandchildren, Sarah and Zachary Beinetti. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Virginia.
Private family burial was held in Chicago.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Irene’s name to Heartland Hospice, 9114 58th Place, #500, Kenosha, WI 53144-7816.
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