Irene Heideman

Irene Heideman (née Russell)

E. Irene Heideman passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on August 29, 2024, in Muskego, WI. Irene was the only child born to Floyd Freeman and Hilda Mary (Syrja) Russell in Milwaukee, WI on July 8, 1932. In the seventh grade, Irene expressed dislike for her given name Esther. With a move to a new school, she went by her middle name Irene for the rest of her life.

As a child, Irene moved several times between Milwaukee and Merrill, WI. She attended Merrill High School but moved once more to graduate from Riverside High School in Milwaukee. Later in life, she furthered her education by taking classes at Milwaukee Area Technical Institute and Waukesha County Technical Institute, which fueled her passion for literature and writing.

Irene developed her artistic talents at an early age. And while she was awarded a blue ribbon for an acrylic painting at the Waukesha County Fair, she switched to batik medium and exhibited in many art fairs in the Milwaukee area. Her passion for the arts also extended to refinishing old furniture and operating her own antique shop called “The Window Pane” located in Vernon, WI.

Beloved wife of Harvey for 62 years until his passing in 2014, Irene shared an interest for traveling with her husband. On their honeymoon, they journeyed along Route 66 and returned to Milwaukee with an empty gas tank and just two dollars to their name. After years of family vacations, the couple revisited both coasts and embarked on numerous trips to England.

As an avid writer, Irene filled many journals with her poetry, essays, family stories and reflections. Irene's thirst for knowledge was evident in her personal library of over 600 books.

While she held a variety of jobs over her lifetime, many incorporated her flair for decorating, including positions at Drapery Showcase, Ken Michaels Furniture, and Peter Schwabe, Inc. She was active in her community by volunteering as a school nurse, a Cub Scout Den Leader, and in her later years, an Interfaith Home Caregiver.

Irene's long spiritual journey was profound and culminated in her finding a community at Unitarian Universalist Church West in Brookfield, where she was involved in the Women’s Writing group and the Lay Pastoral Care Team.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband and parents. She leaves behind a loving family, including her children, Perry (Jean Konieczny) Heideman, Greendale, WI, Christine (Jim) Karas, New Braunfels, TX, Patrick (Kerry) Heideman, Big Bend, WI, Lisa (Rod Sayas) Heideman, Greenfield, WI, and Kelly (Pete) Bognar, Muskego, WI. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren—Justin (Adrienne) Heideman, Minneapolis, MN, Rachel (Tony) Karlin, Greendale, WI, Caitlin Heideman, Milwaukee, WI, Emily (Noah) Ballard, Bulverde, TX, Michael Karas, New Braunfels, TX, Russell (Christen) Karas, Villa Park, IL, Kaelee Heideman, Neenah, WI, Andrew Heideman, Big Bend, WI, Christopher Heideman, Big Bend, WI, Tristan Sayas, Greenfield, WI, Nathan Bognar, New York, NY, Simon Bognar, La Fox, IL, Miles Bognar, Wauwatosa, WI, Jack Bognar, Wauwatosa, WI, and Elliot Bognar, Muskego, WI —and great-grandchildren Rose Karlin, Joy Karlin, Soren Heideman, Lincoln Ballard, and Oliver Ballard.

A special thank you to Irene’s caregivers Nicole and Kati from Brighton Hospice for their extra care and attention.

A memorial service will be held at Unitarian Universalist Church West, 13001 W. North Ave., Brookfield, WI 53005, on Saturday, October 19th at 2 pm. A light reception will be held in the Community Room following the service. The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, charitable donations be made to the American Library Association honoring Irene’s memory and her love for reading.