Anna Irene Peno, known to her family and friends as Irene, was born on September 24, 1914 in Clifton Hollow, Wis., (the River Falls area), to parents William and Julia (Fahey) McManus. She grew up on a farm near Hammond, Wis., and graduated from high school at the age of 16.

Irene married Henry G. Peno on February 28, 1938. They made their first home on Freemont Avenue in St. Paul, Minn., where three of their four children were born. In 1948 they moved to a farm near Rush City, Minn., where their fourth child was born. Irene continued living on the farm until two years following Henry's death in 1978, at which time her son, Bob, purchased the farm and she moved to North Branch, Minn. She returned to Rush City to live in 2000.

Irene was a cook in many restaurants and nursing homes around the area. She also owned the Imperial Inn Restaurant for several years in Cambridge, Minn. Irene was in great demand over the years to cater graduations, weddings and other functions.

Her hobbies were crocheting, reading and card playing; and recently she belonged to four different card clubs. Irene also loved to travel and went on many cruises and bus tours. Her travel dream came true on her 85th birthday when she made a trip to Ireland with two of her children and their spouses.

Irene had an extensive frog collection and it was a joy to her to receive a frog from so many people and different places. She volunteered most of her life with 4-H, the Cambridge Hospital Gift Shop, several nursing homes, Grothe-Jacobson VFW Auxiliary, president of the Senior Center, Seven County Seniors, and was Chisago County Senior Citizen of the year.

Irene died at the Grandview Christian Home in Cambridge on August 30, 2007, having reached the age of 92 years, 11 months and six days. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Julia McManus; her husband, Henry "Hank" Peno; two brothers, Frank and William McManus; and two sisters Margaret Turner and Sadie Sundly. She is survived by her four children, William and Jean Peno of Rush City, Robert and Dorothy Peno of Hackensack, Minn., Susan  and Gary Meyer of Longville, Minn., Kathleen and Denny Clarke of Steilacoom, Wash.; seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; her sister Catherine Sunde of New Richmond, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City with Father Xavier Thelakkott presiding. Music was provided by Irene's granddaughter Valerie Peno Simays and organist Nancy Sterk. Honorary casket bearers included Bud Ertz, Loren Dale Johnson, and Daniel Turner. Active casket bearers included Bill Peno and Bob Peno, Denny Clarke, Mike Peno, Dudley Peno, and Gary Meyer. Interment was in the Elmhurst Cemetery in St. Paul. Arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service, Olson Chapel, Rush City, Minn.

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