Irene Gertrude Baer was born Oct. 1, 1921, to Joseph and Anna Seibel Radey in Manitowoc, Wis. She died on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at the age of 92 in La Mesa, Calif. She had 13 sisters and two brothers. She is survived by one sister, Lorraine, who lives in Wisconsin.

She grew up on a farm near Manitowoc. Her dad owned a bar and dance hall. Irene moved to San Diego in her early 20s where she met her future husband, Clean Martin Baer, formally of Alden Township. He was in the Merchant Marines and she worked for the phone company. They fell in love and were married for more than 50 years. Cleon passed away in 2002. Irene quit her job at the phone company to become a homemaker and devoted mother. They raised five beautiful children —Janice, Nancy, Alan, Debbie and Maria. Irene also has five lovely grandchildren. Four of the children reside in San Diego and the youngest Maria lives near Palm Springs, Calif. — about two hours away from San Diego.

Cleon and Irene loved to go dancing, get together with friends and family and play cards. Irene was a great cook preparing the meals daily for the family. She loved crafts, flower arranging, cake decorating, beading, sewing and bowling, just to name a few. She loved kitchen gadgets and did a lot of shopping on the HSN and QVC TV channels. Her favorite TV shows besides HSN and QVC were “Lawrence Welk,” “Let’s Make a Deal,” “Dr. Oz,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Voice.” She lived in her home on Shirlene Place for more than 50 years. During the last several years her daughter, Nancy, grandson, Ryan, and family friend, Wade, lived with her along with the family pets — two dogs, two cats and two birds (and they all got along).

Irene was a member of St. John of the Cross Church for more than 60 years and a member of Catholic Daughters for 37 years. Irene was very active up to the day she became ill. She drove herself to the Catholic Daughters meeting that day. She loved to get dressed up and wear her jewelry. She was self-sufficient at the age of 92 — paying her bills, driving herself to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments and church. On her last birthday at age 92, the family took her to one of the local casinos to play the machines, which she loved to do occasionally. Irene was full of spunk and life! She is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Family quote: “Perhaps they are not stars, But rather openings in the heavens, Where the love of our lost ones pour through, And shine down upon us to let us know they are happy!”