Ione Marie DePas (nee Walechka) completed her journey, taking God’s loving hand on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in her home at Kettle Moraine Gardens Assisted Living Center in Kewaskum, Wisconsin at the age of 89.

Ione was born on November 24, 1936, to the late Bouhmil and Anna Walechka (nee Janofski) in Gourley Township, Michigan. She graduated from Powers-Spaulding High School in 1955 and afterwards moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she was united in marriage to Harvey DePas on October 18, 1958, in Wauwatosa. They were married 63 years prior to Harvey’s passing in 2022.

Ione worked as a unit secretary at Mt. Sinai Hospital until starting a family and becoming a full-time mother and homemaker. After over 40 years in Milwaukee, she and Harvey moved back to their beloved UP, living 20+ wonderful years in their retirement home in Carney.

Ione was an avid reader unless she was keeping her home clean and beautifully decorated or spending time outdoors maintaining the yard. She enjoyed sunshine, flowers, and wildlife. Her entire life she kept her family well fed, offering up food and goodies with every visit. She made some mean pots of baked beans and chili, and her dumplings were perfection. There was not a bigger Packer fan than Ione. She never missed a game dressed in her cute Packer clothing, shoes, and jewelry. Christmas time was her favorite with festive decor, lots of presents, and holiday treats. However, what brought the most joy to Ione were her children and grandchildren whom she loved so much.

Those Ione leaves behind to cherish her memory include her three children, Renee Hintz, Danielle (Richard Sternke) DePas, and Craig (Teresa) DePas; four grandchildren, Alex (Samantha) Hintz, Zach (Kate Ports) Hintz, Andrew (Anna) Wallenkamp, and Aaron (Keri) Wallenkamp; five great-grandchildren, Teddy, Abram, Ariana, Colton, and Eddison; brothers, Raymond Walechka and Frank (Lynn) Walechka; sisters-in-law, Inez Schmidt and Trudy Walechka; and brother-in-law, Ken Gronmark. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Ione was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey; sister, Marilyn Gronmark; brother, John Walechka; sisters-in-law, Mary DePas, Gloria Walechka, and Alberta Boroughf; brothers-in-law, Melvin DePas, Clarence DePas, and Ted Schmidt; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eligher and Mildred DePas (nee Routheaux).

Mom and Grandma, we will miss you so much and will keep you in our thoughts until we reunite again in Heaven.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Kettle Moraine Gardens and Preceptor Hospice for their loving, compassionate care of Ione.

A private family gathering will be held at a later date.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Ione’s arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence on the tribute wall, please visit www.myrhum-patten.com.