Irene Vieweg

Irene Vieweg, 89, 1409 W. Jefferson St., the first recipient of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce’s “ Volunteer of the Year,” died of natural causes at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2004, in Miller’s Merry Manor.

Born in Whiting, Ind. to Stanley and Helen Gajewski Gronowski on October 13, 1915, Irene graduated from Whiting High School in 1933. She sang in several vocal musical groups and was a member of the drama club. She participated in the 1933 Chicago Tribune’s weekly World’s Fair Personality contest and was a recipient of a $100 prize. With that money she was able to attend the Chicago College of Commerce Business School.

Employed by the Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Corp. of Whiting, she worked there for about six years in office staffing and was also a model in Chicago. On June 12, 1937, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hammond, Ind., Irene and Otto F. Vieweg were married. They had met while singing with the Orpheus Choir of Hammond in a concert performed at the 1933 Chicagoland Music Festival at Soldier’s Field, Chicago, Ill. Both became musically involved within their communities and churches. This continued when they became members of Calvary Lutheran Church in Plymouth.

In Plymouth, she worked for Bob Tanner and then assisted her husband in his tax preparation business.

First among her many interests was her devotion to her Lord Jesus Christ. At Calvary Lutheran Church, she was a Lutheran Braille worker, sang in the church choir and was active in the Alter Guild.

She also sang in the Plymouth Community choir and in addition to being named the 2001 Volunteer of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce, was also recognized by the South Bend Tribune for that same honor.

Irene participate in numerous community affairs: the American Red Cross, Marshall County Historical Society, Friends of the Library and the Marshall County Election Board.

Irene learned to drive at the age of 69 and she enjoyed visiting people in the local nursing homes, traveling and gardening. She was especially close to her children, grand and great-grand-children.

Irene is survived by her daughter Barbara Jean Tanner, Michigan City, Ind., and her children, Thomas C. and Pamela Tanner, New Buffalo, Mich., and Kathleen and Tim Carpenter, Brighton, Mich. She was also survived by her son, Thomas O. and Mary Ann Vieweg, Cary, Ill., and their children: Christopher J. Vieweg and Sarah E. Vieweg, both of Cary, Ill.

Her great-granddaughter, Kasey Lynn Carpenter and James Thayer Carpenter, both of Brighton, Mich., survive as well.

A sister-in-law, Nancy Gronowski of McCordsville, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents and Otto, her loving spouse who died November 18, 1984. Three brothers, Edward, Gene and Ray Gronowski and a sister, Dorothy Gronowski have also died.

A celebration of Irene’s life and loving service to others will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2004, from 2 to 5, and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Calvary Lutheran Church, 1314 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, and for one hour prior to services in the church.

Funeral services for Irene, officiated by the Rev. Steven Resner, pastor of the church, will be held in the church at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 12, 2004.

Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Irene’s memory to either the Lutheran Braille Workers Center # 98 , or the Calvary Lutheran Church, 1314 N. Michigan St. Plymouth, Ind. 46563.