"Kay was my first boss at the Cheeseman and we worked twenty plus years. He was the kind that worked night and day to get the job done. His gift designs were some of the best sellers year after year, even in 2010. He taught me many things about my job and about life. I am truly blessed to have been associated with him. "
In loving memory of
Oliver Kay "O.K." Irgens
August 25, 1926 - November 24, 2011
Oliver Kay Irgens (known among friends as O.K. or Kay) born August 25, 1926 in Red Wing, MN to Marcus W. Irgens and Adena (Johnson) Irgens. Passed away while enjoying Thanksgiving and the Packer game with his family Thursday, November 24, 2011. Kay graduated from Lancaster High School in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1944 and enrolled at The University of Wisconsin-Madison upon completion of his service. There he met his wife Shirley E. Zicker and they were united in marriage on June 17, 1950 the day after he received his B.S. degree from the School of Business.
Kay is survived by his loving wife Shirley; sons, Mark (Coleen) Irgens, Edgerton, WI and Jim (Debbie) Irgens, Knightdale, NC; daughters, Jane (Carl) Geraldson, Nashotah, WI and Sue (Douglas) Dunbar, Castle Rock, CO; nine grandchildren, Allen Irgens, Carrie (Ryan) Darnell, C. Taylor and Adam Geraldson, Melissa and Kenneth Irgens, Robert, Christina and Caroline Dunbar; sisters-in-law, Betty (Robert) Remiker, Hales Corners, WI and Wilma Zicker, Salem, OR; several nieces and nephews; and long-time friend and Best Man, Rod Roggensack. He is preceded in death by his mother and father and sisters Charlotte (James) Spohn and Marcia (Warren) Gollon.
Kay was employed by The Wisconsin Cheeseman from 1963 until 1990, retiring as Vice President in charge of Production, Packaging, and Purchasing. He was considered an innovator in modern packaging and truly enjoyed exercising his creativity. He was a devoted husband and father. His family and his work meant everything to him! It was also a special joy for him to participate in card playing with friends at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge.
Kay and his wife were long-time members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie and regularly attended The Tree of Life Chapel since residing at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge. Chaplain Byron Bunge conducted a private funeral service for immediate family on Saturday, November 26, 2011.
The family wishes to thank James Giesen, M.D. for his care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be provided to The American Heart Association or The Oakwood Foundation.
Tributes
"Kay was my boss, mentor and friend at the Cheeseman. We shared a workspace in the years leading-up to his retirement (WPR classical music played all day). He taught me everything he knew about packaging and life in those years. He was infinitely curious about all things, especially politics and world affairs - we had many great discussions over coffee (at work) and gin (outside of work). His devotion to family was an inspiration to my wife and I who were raising two young daughters at the time. His dedication to work and loyalty to his employer was fierce. His passion for excellence was sometimes misunderstood but I knew he was a teddy bear at heart. Iā??m privileged to have known him. I will treasure his memory always. God bless. Mark Pelton "