Irene Ruth Fitzpatrick Kluge, 98 years old, passed away March 1, 2023, in Gresham, Oregon. The funeral will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 11am at Advantage - Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes, 1515 NE 106th Ave, Portland. She will be interred next to her husband Kenneth Kluge at River View Cemetery.
Irene was born April 8, 1924, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the youngest child of Peter and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick. As the baby of the family, she was adored by her four older siblings Nelson, Robert, Paul and Elizabeth. She grew up in a very close, large, extended family that taught her the value of hard work and being self-sufficient.
Irene graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1942. She married her first husband in 1945 and moved to California, then later to Medford, Oregon, where both her sons were born, James in 1954 and Douglas in 1956, before finally settling in Portland, Oregon.
Irene met Kenneth Kluge while they were both working for Safeway and were friends for many years before they married on Valentine’s Day in 1972. When she married Ken, Irene gained two more children, Alan and Linda Kluge. Irene and Ken loved their family and their home was always open for anyone to stop by for a visit. They were married for 43 years before Ken passed away in December 2006.
Irene and Ken enjoyed traveling, especially taking cruises. They visited Mexico, Alaska and the Caribbean multiple times and often brought back quirky souvenirs from their travels.
Irene was a very special lady and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was spunky, strong willed, and sharp as a tack until the day she passed.
Irene is preceded in death by her husband, E. Kenneth Kluge, her parents Peter James and Elizabeth Lena (DeLeeuw) Fitzpatrick, her siblings Nelson Fitzpatrick, Robert Fitzpatrick, Paul Fitzpatrick, and Elizabeth (Fitzpatrick) Warn, her son Douglas Dwight Urbick, grandson Colby Tyler Urbick and great niece Cristen Hillary Lundquist
Irene is survived by her son James Raymond Urbick, stepson E. Alan (Alice) Kluge and stepdaughter Linda Kluge, five grandchildren: Juliet Irene (Allen) Gibson, Christopher Douglas Urbick, Steven Jeffery (Alexandra) Urbick, Amy Lynn (Randy) Arellano and Anna Jean (John) Baxley. She is also survived by six great grandchildren: Dustin Scott (Brittany) Gibson, Savannah Rae Gibson, Julian James Arellano, Tanner Luke Baxley, Daniel Alan Arellano and Emery Morgan Urbick. As well as her niece Cuyler Warn Ritchie and nephews Michael (Janet) Fitzpatrick and Thomas Fitzpatrick.
*Parentheses for spouse’s or maiden names
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