Irene Fleming, FIfield

Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end of the day.

— Winston Churchill.

On Tuesday December 10^th, Irene passed away unexpectedly at her home in Fifield Wisconsin. Irene Fleming is truly someone who found happiness in her Art to the end of her days.

Irene’s days began on June 28th 1931, in Chicago Illinois, along with her twin brother, Joseph S. Janos. The twins’ proud parents were Joseph A. Janos and Justina J. Janos (nee Uhlarik).

“Light and color”

As a young girl, Irene lived with her parents and brother at their farm below Solberg Lake Dam on Squaw Creek in Worcester, Wisconsin. She loved time outdoors with her father, Joseph, be it working on the farm or in the woods hunting and trapping. Irene found beauty and inspiration everywhere and always appreciated the animals and landscapes, truly the unique “light and color” of the Northwoods. She had many fond stories about rural life by the flowage.

In Worcester, Irene attended Squaw Creek School. At the one room schoolhouse she learned about how the Great Masters handled “light and color.” During the World War II years when Irene’s family relocated to Cicero Illinois, she attended a larger school in the city. It was quite a change for the ‘country girl’ nonetheless her school career there was an academic success. Later Irene finished her education at the Fifield High School. Although the Fifield School did not offer Art as a class, she found creative opportunities working with the school newspaper and doing the portraits for the yearbook.

“Painters…shall not be lonely:”

On May 22^nd 1954, Irene married Ronald G. Fleming. Ronald’s aunt Edith Fleming, a well-known artist in the Park Falls area, encouraged Irene to find her creative identity. Ronald supported her art through their 70 years together by helping bring her array of paintings, plaques, and greeting cards to sell at art shows and other venues. Throughout the years family, nature, and art were Irene’s focus. Irene and Ron had two sons Terry Fleming and Ted (Therese) Fleming.

“Peace and hope” and recognition

Irene’s art brought her “peace” from everyday trials in addition to many prizes and honors. Her biography and works were featured numerous times in local news articles. Irene helped organize both the Countryside Artists and the Countryside Gallery and Gifts located in the historic Fred Smith house at the Wisconsin Concrete Park. At the gallery she befriended other local artists, promoting both their work and her own.

Involvement with Phillip’s Czech-Slovak Community Festival was always a way Irene stayed connected with her heritage and expressed herself creatively. For over two decades Irene’s art was featured on the buttons worn to identify attendees. She also created an educational children’s coloring book entitled “Color me Slovak, Color me Czech.” She dedicated it to her grand-daughters, Rachel (Connor) Livingston, and Mari (Jeff) Rominske.

Irene is survived by her husband Ronald Fleming, her two sons: Terry Fleming and Ted (Therese) Fleming, her two grand-daughters: Rachel (Connor) Livingston and Mari (Jeff) Rominske, her brother-in-law Roger Fleming, nephew Randy Fleming; niece Linda (Bill) Hoffman; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and dear cousins. Irene was preceded in death by her parents Justina and Joseph; her twin brother Joe; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Helen and George Fleming; sister-in-law Bertha (Cupie) Hamond; the spouses of her brother-in-law Roger and sister-in-law Cupie: Grace Fleming and Jerry Hammond; nephew Kurt Hammon and niece Debbie Fleming.

May all who miss Irene at this difficult time find “peace and hope” and comfort in their good memories with her. Services details: Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 13^th at the St. Francis Church in Fifield WI. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of cards or flowers please consider giving to the St. Francis Handicap Accessibility fund.