Irene Elizabeth Blancke, 99 years, of Lexington, Michigan, formerly of Monroe, Michigan, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in her home.
Born April 25, 1926, in Warren Township, Macomb County, Michigan, Irene was the daughter of the late Joseph and Louise (Bousson) Klingkammer. Irene was a 1943 graduate of Utica High School.
On June 26, 1948, Irene married her beloved husband, Albert J. Blancke, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Utica. In 1978 Irene and Albert moved to Monroe from Utica. Sadly, he preceded her in death on September 10, 1996, after 48 years of marriage.
Irene's hands were never idle. She enjoyed working in her vegetable and perennial gardens, playing cards, especially six handed euchre and five crowns. Irene participated in many local craft shows and was a former member of ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Auxiliary, where she made lap quilts and Christmas stockings for newborns. Irene spent many hours sewing hundreds of pillowcases and lap quilts which were donated to local charities, such as ProMedica Hospice, the Lutheran Home and IHM Mother House. Most of all Irene enjoyed time spent with family.
Irene is survived by four loving children: Michael A. (Louise) Blancke of Monroe, Christine M. (Roger) Stecker of Lexington, Diane L. (Robert) Lamb of Monroe, and Donna M. Blancke of Lexington, eight cherished grandchildren: Steven (Jennifer) Lamb, Lisa (Rick) Drouillard, Brian (Kari) Stecker, Michael (Traci) Blancke, Mark Blancke, Monique Blancke, Sidonie (Nicholas, fiancé) Shuler, and Derek Shuler, and seven treasured great grandchildren: Courtney Lyons, Evan and Ally Drouillard, Anna and Jack Stecker, Basil and Emil Blancke, and a brother-in-law, Lawrence DeHondt.
In addition to her parents and husband, Irene was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph (Leona) Klingkammer and two sisters: Rosalie (Matt) DeVriendt and Leona DeHondt.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 1 – 7 pm at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161. On Monday, February 2, 2026, she will lie in state at St. Mary Catholic Church in Monroe starting at 10:00 am where Mass of the Resurrection celebrating her life will begin at 11:00 am. Fr. David Burgard, pastor of the church, will be the celebrant. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe.
Memorial contributions are suggested to The Passionists of Holy Cross Province, 660 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068, passionist.org or St. Mary Catholic Church, 127 N. Monroe St., Monroe, MI, 48162, st.marymonroe.org.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .