Obituary of Irene Anne Puchko

Irene was born in Coleman, Alberta, the fifth child of Adam and Bertha (Kroesing) Hammer. She married Fred Puchko in 1954 and they moved to Swan Hills and then Whitecourt where they owned and managed Freddy’s Motor Inn. Irene had a great sense of humor. She loved to paint pictures of scenery. Irene was very active as a volunteer of the Lioness Club of Whitecourt and enjoyed working at the Whitecourt Senior Centre. When her husband Fred passed away in 2001, she began cutting rags at the Repeat Boutique and continued until Sept. 2021 when she moved to Extendicare Mayerthorpe. Irene was predeceased by her husband Fred; brothers and sisters-in law William (Bill) and Mabel Hammer, John and Beatrice Hammer, and Norman and Margaret Hammer; sister and brother-in-law Marie and Bobby Franz, brother Ken Hammer, and brother-in-law Nestor Johnson. Left to cherish her memory are her sister Mae Johnson, sister-in-law Eleanore Hammer, fifteen nieces and nephews, special friend and care-giver Elaine Gunderson, and many friends in Whitecourt. Irene requested no service nor flowers. Donations may be made to the Friends of Whitecourt Society Box 1101 Whitecourt, Alberta T7S-1P1 A tea and memorial will be held later in the spring at the Whitecourt Seniors Circle where Irene was a hard-working member.