Irene Helena Boxberger, 91, of Russell, died on Monday, August 18, 2014, at the Grand River Nursing Home in Chillicothe, Missouri.

Irene was born on February 24, 1923, in Susank, Kansas, the daughter of Emmanuel and Mary (Bouger) Michaelis.  She grew up in Northern Barton County, Kansas in the Susank and Hoisington, Kansas areas and attended local schools.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Leo E. Boxberger on May 09, 1946 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.  From this union Irene and Leo were blessed with two sons Leo Michael and Randall Ray.  In 1954 the family moved to Oakley, Kansas where Leo worked as a sharecropper.  In 1973 Leo and Irene relocated to Fremont, Nebraska, in 1987, Leo retired, and they moved back to Russell.  Irene worked for over 30 years as a waitress, baker and sales person but her full time job was a homemaker to her husband and children.  She was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Russell.  She enjoyed crafts, ceramics, knitting and cooking.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include sons Leo Michael Boxberger and wife Cynthia of Manhattan, Kansas and Randall Ray Boxberger and wife Jenelle of Russell; 3 grandchildren-- Stephanie (Boxberger) Buker, Christopher Michael Boxberger and Danelle Schnitker; 5 great grandchildren -- Kaitlyn, Danielle and Meredith Buker, Kaitlyn Reed and Avery Reed; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband (Leo, November 1990), 2 brothers (Harold and Emil Michaelis) and 6 sisters (Hilda Schmidt, Alma Dumler, Louise Schmidt, Amelia Nuss, Frieda Morganstern and Leona Heil.)

A celebration of Irene's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, August 22, 2014, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Services will conclude at the mortuary.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, August 21, 2014, at the mortuary with family present from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening.  Memorials may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church or Bible Baptist Church both of Russell and can be sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.