Irene “Nene” Menegas Beadle

Irene “Nene” Menegas Beadle, 89, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2026 in Galena, IL surrounded by her loving children after a brief illness. A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM, Monday, June 22, 2026, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Galena, where friends may call after 9 AM until the time of mass. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena is assisting the family. Irene was born on March 8, 1937, to her Greek immigrant parents, Nicholas and Kaliope (Vrotsos) Menegas. Irene was born at the family home on Bench Street in Galena as the last of seven children. Irene attended school in Galena and graduated with the Galena High School Class of 1955. She and her classmates gathered regularly for lunches to catch up — something she really enjoyed.  After high school, she studied education at the University of Dubuque. She married Thomas R. “Pat” Beadle in May 1958. In her early years of marriage, she worked as a bookkeeper for Rooster Mills Feed in Dubuque, IA. She then chose to be a stay-at-home mother and devoted wife. Together she and Pat raised seven children and proudly restored their historic brick family home on Meeker Street. This home is on the Illinois Historic Preservation Register.  Irene provided a loving home for her children but ran a tight ship. There were always three meals on the table and a homemade dessert every day after school. Irene was warm, loyal, and selfless — these gifts are present in her children and grandchildren. Irene was simple and humble. She was happy with a long car ride, Friday night fish fry dates, attending sporting and school events as well as all the family gatherings with lots of good food.  She was a fixture at Galena Pirate basketball games and also followed Cuba City basketball for many years. Anyone that knew her well would know that you could sit and talk high school and college basketball with her. She was also an avid New York Yankees fan and named her beloved dog “Jeter.” She was a great cook with one of her signature dishes being affectionately named “Grandma Nene Rice.” She also loved traditional Greek dishes like baklava and avogolemo soup. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and visited with them often. Later in life, when her kids were in school, Irene restarted her career and worked for the State of Illinois Historic Preservation office for 25 years. She loved Galena, and Galena loved her. She will be forever missed by her family and friends.  Surviving are five daughters, Kalli (Brian) Trevarthen, Laurie (Michael) Sproule, Leigh Ann (David) Eaton, all of Galena; Jayne (Joe) VandeMerkt-Cahill, of Geneva, IL; and Catherine (Bradley) Lenschow of Burlington, IL; and son Patrick (Martha) Beadle of Galena. Fourteen grandchildren, Anna Sproule (Matt) Heller, Lucas (Jenna) Trevarthen, Carmen (Mitchell) Phillips, William (Stephanie) VandeMerkt, Alexandra (Charlie) Faye, Jack VandeMerkt, Madeline (Lane) Morrison, Jacob Lenschow, Ellyn Lenschow, Michael Beadle, Emma Eaton (Josh Buss), Elizabeth Irene Eaton (Will Schott), and Samuel Eaton. Nine great-grandchildren, Zachary, Leah Irene, and Alaina Heller; Lettie, Leslee, and Landon Trevarthen; Halle and Tanner Phillips; and Ava VandeMerkt. Surviving is her sister-in-law, Joan Beadle.   She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son Michael Beadle, a grandson, Nicholas Sproule, and a son-in-law, Scott VandeMerkt. Also preceding her within the Menegas family were her brothers, George and Harry Menegas, and her sisters, Lila Heim, Frances “Frannie” Carter, Demetria “Tulie” Jameson, and Theodora “Dorie” Jaeger.  Preceding her on the Beadle side were her parental in-laws, William and Wilhelmina Beadle, and her brothers and sisters in laws, Helen Petitgoue, Frances Murphy, Florence Bautsch, William Beadle, Jr., Donald Beadle, Vera Wienen, Catherine Seelye, Lucille Rusboldt, Virginia Armstrong, and Joanne “Nan” Foecking. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Galena Foundation, The Galena Education Foundation, or Hospice of Dubuque. The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to Galena’s Fire and EMS Departments, Dr. Matt Gullone and the Midwest Medical Center Staff, Midwest Senior Care Nursing Center Staff, and Hospice of Dubuque.