Friedel Irene Kostrau, died peacefully on April 5, 2018. She was born in Berlin, Germany on February 2, 1939. Irene grew up as the youngest of 6 children in Berlin, Germany and emigrated to the United States in 1959, and became a US Citizen. Irene entered this world just 7 months before WWII began and tough times were ahead for this very elegant young lady.

Upon her arrival in the US, Irene was employed by the Boyd Family of Boston, Massachusetts to care for their family, after their return to the US, after deployment in post war Germany. Irene had cared for the Boyd children and managed their household in Berlin, as well. Then Irene joined her immediate family in Menomonee Falls, WI. (her brother, Joachim Hans Kostrau, his wife Barbara Johanna Kostrau and their three children (Andrea Ursula, Christian Otto, and Sebastian Walter). Irene became our "Nana" or Nanny, while our parents were at work. An amusing story might be in order. Sometime in the mid-sixties, Nana asked Andrea (10 years old) and me (5 years old) to do something. Apparently, we didn't follow her orders. So, she declared, "I'm leaving and never coming back." She left the house, drove off in her 1957 Pontiac, and we shrugged our shoulders and continued our endeavors. But lo and behold, Irene came back 2 hours later! Another collectible story is viewing Christmas lights in Menomonee Falls. My parents adhered to German tradition- no decorations until Christmas Eve. Therefore, it was Irene's responsibility to take us away from home and drive throughout the neighborhood to view the festive lights. Then we returned home and were sequestered in the kitchen, until we were invited to see our own Christmas tree lit up. It was a German tradition.

Irene's professional career at Gimbel's Department Store in Milwaukee, WI., Life Uniforms, and at Kohl's Department Store have to be duly noted. At Gimbel's, she became a manager of several departments and post Gimbel's continued to polish her retail and managerial skills.

Our family resided in Menomonee Falls from 1958 through 1968. In the fall of 1968, the family moved to Wauwatosa, WI. Irene lived with us in Wauwatosa until 1970, at which point she moved into her own apartment.

She is survived by her nephew, Christian Otto Kostrau (& Michael A. Wernik) of Long Beach, IN.; her niece Andrea Ursula Geisler (& Guenter Geisler) of Munich, Germany; Oma Edith Schubert and extended Family from Freckleben, Germany; nieces and nephews in Germany; Debbie & Randy Fuchs and Family; and by Minoo Philipp, her adopted niece, from Duesseldorf, Germany.

She is preceded in death by her parents, August Otto Kostrau, Martha Kostrau and siblings: Ursula Kostrau, Willi Kostrau, Hilde Thoene (nee Kostrau); Christel Philipp (nee Kostrau); Joachim Hans Kostrau and her nephew Sebastian Walter Kostrau.

To honor the request of Irene F. Kostrau there will be no visitation.

Private burial services will take place at the Hazelton Cemetery, Wyalusing Township at a future date.

The family would like to thank the Staff and Caregivers at the Muskego Health Care Center and the Hospice Staff, for providing excellent care to Irene, over the last four years.

Irene always felt "very well taken care of".

In lieu of flowers

Consider sending a contribution to Irene's fund for a red granite tombstone- 12" high to replicate the Kostrau Family tombstone from Germany to honor Irene. It will be placed front and center, just below her brother, Joachim Hans Kostrau. Our brother, Sebastian Walter, lies to the left of our Father. Our Father, Joachim Hans lies in the middle. Our Mother, Barbara Johanna, lies to Father's right.

The Phillip Funeral Home, recommended that any contributions for Irene's tombstone be made payable to:

Christian Otto Kostrau

1904 Somerset Road

Long Beach, IN. 46360

*Duly Note that your contribution is expressly meant to help fund the tombstone for Irene F. Kostrau.*

I will miss my Nana forever!