Irene Beverly Carolyn (Stensby) Borreson, age 89, died on November 25, 2020, at the Gundersen Tri-County Care Center in Whitehall, Wisconsin. Irene was born on August 11, 1931, to Tilden Odell Stensby and Millie (Iverson) Stensby at the Whitehall Community Hospital.

Irene grew up on the family farm in Rat Coulee which is located between Blair and Whitehall, Wisconsin. She attended eight grades of school in the one-room school in Larkin Valley. Irene graduated from Whitehall Memorial High School in 1949.

After high school graduation, Irene worked as a receptionist at Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse for a few years. She married Sidney A. Borreson on September 30, 1950. Sidney and Irene began farming and raising their family in the early 1950's on Irene's parents' small farm.

After Irene's children started school in Whitehall, Irene worked several different jobs. She worked at Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) testing milk, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), and the Whitehall Times. She became the co-owner and manager of the Coral City Store with Sid for 13 years. After selling the store, she worked as a clerk at the Blair A-to-Z store.

Irene was a lifelong member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church and was baptized, confirmed, and married there. She also served as a Church Deacon. Irene was active in the Ladies' Aid and the Quilting group. Irene was the granddaughter of Caroline Iverson, one of the Founding Mothers of the Ladies' Aid.

Irene was a proficient seamstress and quilter. She stitched many quilts that were the featured item in local charity raffles. Irene also was an avid knitter and stitcher of hand embroidery.

Irene and Sidney had three children, Joyce (Jack) Cotton, Judith (Douglas) Caruso and Dale (Jill) Borreson. Irene leaves behind daughters Joyce Cotton and Judy Borreson Caruso and daughter-in-law, Jill. She leaves six grandchildren: Matthew (Amy) Cotton, Mark (Jenny) Cotton, Anthony (Sara) Caruso, Emily Caruso, Letece (Brandon) Scott, and Megan Borreson (fiancé Derek Maitland). Irene leaves nine great-grandchildren: Ryah and Grayson Cotton, Grant and Alyssa Cotton, Gabriella and Gianna Caruso, and Dalon, Olivia and Charlotte Scott.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Dale, who died February 1, 2011, and her husband, Sidney, who died on August 31, 2013.

Irene was proud of her children and grandchildren, all of whom obtained post-secondary degrees. She enjoyed attending her children's and grandchildren's musical and sporting events.

A Celebration of Life event will be held on Sunday, July 18, 2021 with a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. in the Lincoln Cemetery in Whitehall, followed  by luncheon and a sharing of stories and memories of Irene in the Melby Park Shelter in Whitehall.  Please bring stories and memories of Irene that you can share with other attendees.

Memorials may be designated to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Ladies' Aid or Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Quilting at 36197 Main St. Whitehall,WI 54773, or Gundersen Tri-County Care Center at 18601 Lincoln St. Whitehall,WI 54773.

The Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.