Irene Emma Gram

Irene E. (Hengst) Gram, 85, of Rochester, died in Rochester on February 10, 2026.
Irene was born September 18, 1940 to Frederick and Erna (Zuther) Hengst on the family farm in Rib Lake Wisconsin. She graduated from Rib Lake High School and went on to earn a degree in Cosmetology with Management and High Stylist endorsements.

She met the love of her life, Skip, and married on June 10, 1961 in Rib Lake Wisconsin. Soon after being married they started an adventurous life after Skip was drafted. She followed Skip. Their two children were made in Japan. They also lived in the Philippines, and several states finally settling in Rochester Minnesota.

Irene excelled in bowling. Without ever having a handicap, she earned countless trophies with her skill. She had a brief stint playing semi-professional basketball. Irene had a passion for playing softball and was an avid Packer fan. She had a love of music playing piano, keyboard, electric guitar, and harmonica, as well as signing.

Irene enjoyed playing with her grandkids to the point of knocking herself out and also loved playing video games.

Her smile and laugh lit up any room she entered and she had an entertaining sense of humor and sarcasm. Her favorite activity was going to their cabin on Springsteel Island in Warroad Minnesota on Lake of the Woods. She and Skip spent as much time as they could fishing together, with family, and friends, especially when the grandkids were there. She was the CFO and Office Manager for G-Matic Systems, the company she and Skip built together, retiring in 2007. She will be forever loved and missed.

Irene is survived by her husband, Skip; children, Larry (Patti) Gram and Jennifer (Shawn) Gram; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren; brother, Frederick (Diane) Hengst; and sister, Grace (Mary) Hengst.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Michael Cochren; siblings, Melvin Hengst, Bernice Krejci, Esther Peterson, Alice Otto, Arleen Koenigs, Mary Ann Schirmer, Jack Hengst, James Hengst, Carolyn Schirmer and Monte Hengst.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, February 20, 2026 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Rochester with an hour of visitation prior to the service.