Irene Karcic

Irene Marie Karcic-Gifford passed away, Heaven bound, peacefully in her sleep on February 23, 2012, with her family by her side. Born August 17, 1914 in Dorchester, WI, the family relocated to up state New York where she grew up on a farm with brothers Hubert and Ted. She completed a nursing program from Syracuse University in 1935 and began her adventures out west in hospitals in Hawaii, AZ & WA. She met Tony Karcic in St Johns, AZ and both worked in the ship yards of Berkley, Ca. As Tony’s family was from Prescott, they made their way back to sunny AZ, marrying in 1945. Their first child, Tony Jr. was born in 1951; a daughter, Lisa, followed a year later. With two small children, Irene retired from the hospital as supervisor in obstetrics to take care of her family and help Tony with his many different endeavors. In the late 40’s Tony was selling autos when they opened their own sales lot on S. Montezuma which grew into selling autos and mobile homes, Tony’s Trailer Sales. As a side line, they moved houses from Jerome to Prescott, operated several cafés, a motel, a taxi co and both received their real estate sales licenses in the mid 1950’s. In 1960, they developed the Lazy K Mobile Home Park moving the sales lot to Willow Creek Rd. After Tony’s death in 1975, Irene slowly started selling the various businesses but remained active in real estate to the time of her passing. She traveled the world with her church group to numerous countries, until marrying Ike Gifford in 1984. They spent many pleasant years traveling by motor home through the states, salmon fishing in Alaska, visiting the Grand Ole Opry and boating on Lake Powell. Through the years, Irene enjoyed being in the Prescott Junior Women’s Club, the Hill Aid’s Club, The Ladies’ Aid at her Church, and The Prescott Rod & Rifle Club with her favorite pastime, FISHING! At 97, Irene was preceded in death by her brothers, husbands, and grandson, Tony S Karcic. Survivors include son, Tony (Debbie) Karcic; daughter Lisa (Ron) Bauer; granddaughters, Lisa (Daniel) Riccio, Stacy (Mark) Porcher, Ashley (Israel) Evartt, Vanessa Manley, Anna (Johnny) Braden and Tonya Williams, and nine Great Grandchildren. Other survivors include nephews, Don Karcie, Ron Karcie, Ron Weddle, niece Michelle (Jim) Pelzer and many great nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Granite Gate Senior Living Community for the EXCELLENT care and sensitivity to make Irene’s last months comfortable. Services will be held at the First Lutheran Church, 231 W Smoke Tree Ln, Prescott, at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 10. A celebration of her life & lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Irene Karcic

August 17, 1914 - February 23, 2012