Irene Leona (Jurczak) Vukorpa

In loving memory of Irene Leona Vukorpa, who entered into eternal rest on April 12, 2023, at
Maple Lake Assisted Living, at the age of 90.

Irene was born in Chicago on January 5, 1933, the daughter of Andrew and Filomena (Tarala)
Jurczak.  She attended Saint James School and Good Counsel High School in Chicago as a child.
In 1947, the family moved to their farm on Reynolds Lake in Lawrence. Irene attended
Lawrence High School and graduated as salutatorian of her class in 1950.

Irene attended Western Michigan College (WMU) and graduated with a 2-year Secretarial
Certificate. She was employed at the Upjohn Company after graduation. After taking time off to
care for her children, she returned to employment at Thornton Insurance Agency and worked
there for over 20 years before retiring.

On April 30, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church in Paw Paw, Irene was united in marriage to Victor Emil
Vukorpa. They were wed for 62 years before his passing in 2017.
Irene loved to go dancing, play cards with her lady friends, go to Bingo at the Lions Club every
Friday night and visit Las Vegas.

In their middle-aged years, she and Vic traveled through many US states and national parks.
They visited many parts of Canada and took several cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. She
and her daughter also took a trip to Europe with the highlight of visiting some of her relatives in
Poland.

Irene is survived by three daughters;  Jennifer (Jurgen) Neumann of Harrison Township, Patricia
(Michael) Scott of Battle Creek, and Susan (David) Copeland of Kalamazoo;  son Victor Michael
(Michelle) of St. Joseph; grandchildren Christopher, Jeffrey, Meghan, Caitlin, Kelly, Colin,
Courtney, and Faith; and great-grandchildren Charlotte and Everly.

Also surviving are her brother and sister-in-law Andrew (Carole) Jurczak of Lawrence; sisters-
in-law Evelyn (Andrew) Hall of Portage and Ellen (Jack) Neal of Portage, and many nieces and
nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Loretta (Arthur) Blank of
Lansing, and sister-in-law Millie Buckmaster of Three Rivers.

A Celebration of Life gathering for family and close friends will be held Thursday, May 4, at
4:00 pm, at La Cantina restaurant in Paw Paw. Private interment will be at St. Mary’s cemetery
at a later date.

The family would like to thank Maple Lake Assisted Living and Centrica Care Navigators
(hospice) for their care and devotion during her final years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church or Centrica Care Navigators.