Irene was born on October 2, 1937 in the Mount Forest District to John and Katherine Walcer. Being the second oldest of 12, Mom was kept busy from watching siblings, to cooking, to gardening, to milking. She met John Bednarz at St. Helen’s Polish Hall, they were married on July 25, 1955. They moved to the farm east of Fairy Glen where they raised their five children and farmed until 1989. Mom started cooking at The Coach and 3 in 1972, then continued to cook at Smitty’s, then worked at The Golden Grain Bakery, finally pouring ice cream cakes at Dairy Queen. A few things Mom loved were travelling with Joe and Mary Kaminski, days spent with the family picking blueberries and mushrooms, and Sunday picnics with the Baraniski’s, Tluchak’s, Blakley’s and Yaremy’s. Mom was rooted in her Catholic faith, no matter what the Lord handed her in life, she accepted. In 2005, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which gradually stole her independence. Mom then moved to Nirvana in April of 2017, where she was loved like family, which we are grateful for. Irene is predeceased by her husband, John (1992), granddaughter, Kimberly Koenders, her parents, John and Katherine and infant sister, Millie Louise; brothers-in-law, Joe Falica, Edward Baraniski, and Mike Tluchak. Mom will be lovingly remembered by her children, Kathy (Al) Koenders, Gerry (Dawn) Bednarz, Louise (Garry) Taylor, Tom (Helen) Bednarz and Rose Marie (Quintin) Senger. Grandma B will be greatly missed by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jason (Darlene) Koenders, Jolene Koenders, Jodi (Clint) Stefanishion, Rowyn and Kate, Chelsey (Richard) Chabot, Lauren and Brooklyn, Myles (Megan) Bednarz, Warren (Hailee) Taylor, Bria and Ella, Ian Taylor, Grant Taylor, Wade (Katana) Bednarz, Blake, Lukas, and Klayton, Amanda (Tim) Gordon, Emily, Melissa (Dylan) Kleinsasser, Layton (Lindsey) Senger, Nora, Kristin Senger and Derek Senger. Irene will also be missed by her brothers, Stan, Albin, Alex, Walter, Martin and Marion, and her sisters, Annette, Verna, Phyllis, Sylvia, and Lillian. Irene is also survived by a special sister-in-law, Jennie Stefaniuk