Manitowoc (formerly of Racine) – Irene Elizabeth (nee: Levenhagen) Kinnard, age 86, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, at her home in Manitowoc on Thursday, April 18, 2019. She was the eldest Levenhagen living in our clan and passes the torch onto her sister, Linda.

Irene was born June 10, 1932 to Earl Edward and Florence Loretta (nee: Brown) Levenhagen. She went to local schools and graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1950. Irene married Edward G. Kinnard on September 21, 1950 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manitowoc, WI. They have three children: Edward D. Kinnard of Green Bay; Karen M. Kinnard of Oshkosh and Barbara (Mike) A. Eakin of Green Bay.

Surviving are her three children; sister, Linda J. Hamernik of Manitowoc; nephew, Scott Hamernik; brother-in-law, Thomas F. Kinnard of Burlington; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; cousins and friends – including her best-friend from childhood, Joan (Everette) Kasten; and God-sent neighbor, Marlene Stoychoff, of whom Irene called "her angel".

In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Edward Kinnard, who passed away December 20, 2000; brother, Edward A. Levenhagen; and sister-in-law, Gerri (Charles) Neske.

Irene was a lifetime member of the DAV and VFW Auxiliaries. She enjoyed volunteering at St. Luke's Hospital in Racine, VA Hospital in Milwaukee, Aurora Hospital in Two Rivers, and at the Senior Center Gift Shop in Manitowoc. Years ago, she would go fishing with her family and swimming – having won a lifesaving pin in high school.

Irene had several jobs in Manitowoc and Texas. She worked at the Lakeside Canning Factory and Lapcore Plastics Soldering in Manitowoc; Northern Engineering in Burlington; Hydril, Daniel Industries, Tideland Signal Corp., Schlumberger and Texas Instruments – all in Texas. Irene enjoyed all of her soldering jobs and was always very proud of her work.

Funeral services celebrating Irene's life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 11:00 am with Fr. Joseph Hornacek officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 – 11:00 am.