Irene A. Lord

Irene A. Lord, age 84, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 19, 1941, in Faribault, Minnesota, the daughter of the late Mattias and Cecelia (Kautz) Koch.

Irene and her family relocated to Mankato, where she graduated from Mankato West High School in 1959. Following graduation, she worked in accounts receivable for Thro Drug Store; it was there that she met her future husband, Donald. They were married on January 16, 1968, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In 1978, Irene began a successful career in real estate with Century 21 Atwood Realty. By 1980, she became a broker and co-owner of Century 21 Madison Ave Realtors, where she served until 1985. During this time, she was instrumental in the commercial development of shopping centers and apartments throughout Mankato and North Mankato. Irene later worked as a receptionist at the House of Hair and eventually retired in 2008 after many years as a debt collector for Professional Credit Analysts. Professionally active and civic-minded, Irene served as President of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and was a member of the Elks & Moose Lodge, Hilltop Kiwanis, and the Mankato Board of Realtors.

In her free time, Irene was a gifted jewelry maker whose work was featured in craft shows and high-end stores. She found great joy in boating, spending time at the summer lake home, traveling, cruising, and attending Broadway shows.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Lord of North Mankato; her son, Brett Lord of Orlando, Florida; three grandchildren, Braddock, Jackson, and Mason Lord; two step-grandchildren, Jessica (Barrett) Summers and Abigail Barrett; and three great-grandchildren, Alaska, Maverick, and Paxton. Irene’s memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Irene’s Life will be held at 11 A.M. Friday, April 24, 2026, at Woodland Hills Chapel in Mankato. Interment will follow in the Woodland Hills Memorial Park Indoor Columbarium. The Lord family will greet friends on Friday morning for one hour prior to the service at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Croix Hospice.

Arrangements by Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato. www.woodlandhillsfh.com.