Irene E. (Hengst) Gram

1940-2026

Irene E. (Hengst) Gram, 85, of Rochester, Minn. died in Rochester on Feb. 10, 2026.

Irene was born Sept. 18, 1940 to Frederick and Erna (Zuther) Hengst on the family farm in Rib Lake. 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 into an adventurous life after Skip was drafted. She followed Skip. Their two children were made in Japan. They also lived in Philippines, and several states finally settling in Rochester, Minn.

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 singing.

Irene enjoyed playing with her grand kids 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, Minn., on Lake of the Woods. She and Skip spent as much time as they could fishing together, with family, and friends, especially when the grand kids 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; five great-grandchildren; brother, Frederick (Diane) Hengst; and sister, Grace (Mary) Hengst.

Irene was 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.

Paid Obituary 180853