We are sad to announce the death of our dear beloved mother, Iris Mae Jakubowski, age 89. Iris passed away tragically due to an unexpected fall on Sunday, October 29, 2023. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing in the 6th floor ICU at St. Vincent Hospital. Iris will be missed terribly after a long and happy life. Iris eloped and married the love of her life, her one and only Aleizego "Al" Jakubowski in Niagara Falls.

Iris was a hard worker throughout her life. She was a nurse at St. Vincent's in the maternity ward, psych ward, and the E.R. She worked at various paper mills in the area, operating paper machines. Iris finally ended her career and retired from James River Corp. in 1997 as the top material loader in the shipping and receiving departments. Her coworkers boasted how she could load those cars like nobody's business.

She was also a master in the kitchen. She had a special flare for making especially delicious homemade meals for the family, which made our holidays even more joyous and memorable.

After retirement, Iris enjoyed spending her time playing bingo and going on her many different bus tours including Graceland and Nashville. She loved her bingo, even more when she was escorted by one of her 7 grandchildren. She always said Tony was her good luck bingo buddy because they would always win together.

Iris loved to sit around and listen to her man Elvis Presley, sing, watch Elvis's movies, and read tabloid magazines. After all, mom did have a special connection with Elvis, her twin sister Inez said it best, "That damn Iris, she got a scarf from Elvis tonight!" Inez's words exactly, the night Elvis preformed in Green Bay Iris got his scarf! All the other women were envious that night.

Iris was a dedicated single mother first and foremost. She treasured her 4 children and embraced every moment she could with them. Mom spent quality time every weekend with us. She was an amazing woman. We enjoyed going to the beaches, the cottage, up north, church picnics, carnivals, fairs, haunted houses, cherry picking, and strawberry picking. You name it we did it.

She loved her family and was sure to instill into her daughters the strong independent values that she herself embraced and served her well. Iris was a wonderful mother who was always there when her children needed her. Iris was a beautiful person who spread joy and happiness wherever she went. She was extremely loved by her entire Astor Park neighborhood, where she lived for 60 years.

Iris had a vivacious, bold, and blunt personality which always made people laugh and smile around her. She made friends everywhere and was loved by all who met her. She was infamous for her lack of patience, not holding back her opinion and knack for telling it like it is. She always told the truth, even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear.

Our mom will leave a big gap in our lives and will be missed dearly by her family, holding a special place in our hearts for eternity.

Iris is survived by her three children, Randy (Cindy) Jakubowski, Debbie Willems, and Diane Jakubowski. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren, Lora, Tony, Kim, Eric, Alexis, Savannah, and Al Jr. She has 14 great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her three brothers, Wayne (Kathy) Greene, Glen (Cathy) Greene, and Marvin Greene, and her five sisters, Christine Wendt, Millie (Peter) Sandoval, Karen (Joe) Kisport, Becky Meir (late husband Ray), Lori (Willie) Schadrie. Iris is further survived by her Aunt Phyllis, lifelong friends Fay Ness, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her son Alan Jakubowski, her twin sister Inez Marie Jakubowski, her brother David (Shirley) Greene, parents George (Buck) and Jetta Greene, and her best friend forever Mae Stiles.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 6, at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N Tenth Street De Pere, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. A drumming service will begin at 3:30, with a prayer service to start at 4:00PM. A burial ceremony will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 7 at the Nicolet Memorial Gardens.

A special thank you to the St. Vincent's 6th Floor ICU nurses and deacon for their care and compassion during such a difficult time.