Irene "Chee Chee" Marquette, age 87, of Maple Lake died Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the Buffalo Hospital.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Clearwater United Methodist Church, with visitation one hour prior to service. Rev. Alison Hendley will officiate. Burial will follow at Acacia Cemetery in Clearwater. A Celebration of Life will be held after the burial at the Clearwater American Legion Club from 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Irene Ruth Thiessen was born on March 13, 1939, in Carson Township, Minnesota to George and Bertha (Buller) Thiessen. The family lived a short time in Mountain Lake, before moving to Clearwater. Irene graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School.

On February 16, 1957, Irene married Myles Myron Marquette in Buffalo. Together, they shared 60 years of marriage, building a life filled with family. Throughout the years, Irene called Clearwater, Fairhaven, Monticello, Big Lake, Kensington, Cyrus, and Maple Lake home. No matter where she lived, it was the people she loved who made each place home. Irene spent time working for Carlson Dolls in Maple Lake and Sunny Fresh in Monticello.

Irene found joy in crocheting, cross-stitching, and reading. She often involved her grandchildren in crafting projects and shared those special moments with them. In her retirement years, Chee Chee valued preparing time with her family. She always wanted to share her cakes, cookies, and leftovers with her kids.

She is survived by her three children, Myron Marquette (Sandy Peter) of Fairhaven, Arnie Marquette of Clearwater, and Barb Marquette of Clearwater; three grandchildren, Jeremy (Ivy) Marquette, Derek (Lacey) Marquette, and Tara Price; seven great-grandchildren, Jade, Christian, Brielle, Titan, Chevelle, Stella, and Stevie Jo; brother, Rick (Jamie) Thiessen of Clearwater; siblings-in-law, Ervin (Carol), Celia, Elaine and Jan Marquette; and many neices, nephews, other relatives, friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Bertha Thiessen; husband, Myles Marquette; grandson, Dustin Marquette; great-grandson, Hendrix Price; brothers, Gene and Willard (Caroline) Thiessen; parents-in-law, Ralph and Ida Marquette; siblings-in-law, Pauline "Tootie" (Harvey) Stumpf, Ida "Maggie" (Richard) Alama, Floyd "Bud" (Doris), Gene (Bernice), Clyde, Ben (Mert), John, Douglas (Elaine), Dennis "Joe", and Clark "Butch" Marquette.

Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.