Irene Florence Rubner Klein, age 96, of Hockessin, DE, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 2, 2023.

Irene was born in Milwaukee, WI to Barbara and Charles Rubner on November 2, 1926. She attended St. Michael's Grade School and Holy Angels High School. She worked for the Telephone Company and Solar Corporation in Milwaukee.  Irene married Carl Ulrich Klein on February 9, 1952, and they moved to Newark, DE and later to Sherwood Park II in November 1958.  Together they raised two children, Carol Marie and Charles Ulrich, and two foster sons, James Gouge and Charles Krzywosinski.  Irene served as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and coach. She actively volunteered at St. John the Beloved in the library, teaching CCD, serving on Parish Council and Parish Life, and singing in the choir. She also visited patients at the Delaware State Hospital, delivered Meals on Wheels and was a Wheels volunteer for many years. Irene also cooked and served meals at the Emmanuel Dining Room from its inception.

In addition to her parents, Irene was predeceased by her husband, Carl Ulrich Klein; brothers, Anthony, Leonard, and Charles; sisters, Sr. Dorothy Rubner MM, Evelyn Hoepfner, and Vera McRoberts; and foster son, James Gouge.

She is survived by her children, Carol Klein Monaghan (Francis) and Charles Ulrich Klein (Robin); proud grandmother of Maureen Center (Seth), Thomas Monaghan (Kristina) , Veronica Davis (Shannon), Steven Klein (Kerri), and Jeffrey Klein (Robert); one foster son, Charles Krzywosinski (Joyce) and their children, Carl and Jasmine Mae; sister Barbara Korpela; nine beloved great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Beloved, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808 on Monday June 19th, 2023 at 11am, with visitation beginning at 10am. Interment will be private at the Delaware Veteran's Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. John the Beloved School Fund, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808 or to the Emmanuel Dining Room, 121 N. Jackson Street, Wilmington, DE 19805.