January 6, 2024 – Germantown, WI – Following the Christmas Day passing of Germantown, WI historian Irene Blau we reflect on a 2017 interview discussing the stories of Dheinsville.
Sept. 16, 2017 – Germantown, WI – On Saturday, Sept. 16 an exhibit will be unveiled by the Germantown Historical Society to honor Irene Blau and her 35 years of service.
Blau has been actively involved in the community since moving to Germantown in 1963.
A “short” list of local service work, contributions beyond the Germantown Historical Society, and activities before her Germantown residency is below.
Click HERE to read Irene Blau’s obituary
In this candid video Blau gives a behind-the-scenes look at some of the history of Dheinsville.
Blau will be honored during a ceremony at Christ Church on Highway 145 on Saturday starting around 3 p.m. There will be light refreshments and the event is free and open to the public.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Germantown Historical Society Founding President Emeritus
- Germantown 1976 Bi-Centennial Committee
- Washington County 1976 Bi-Centennial Committee Member
- Washington County Landmarks Commission Member
- Wisconsin Historical Society and Preservation Trust
- Wisconsin Office of Tourism
- Wisconsin Landmarks Commission
- Sinter Klausen Christmas Markt Owner, Established 1988, Main Street Germantown
- Germantown Chamber of Commerce Member
- American Red Cross Disaster Chair 1976 Ice Storm
- Salvation Army Service Unit Chair
- League of Women Voters Finance Chair
- United Way Local Fund Chair
- Heritage Bank Women’s Council
- Wisconsin Mental Health Association Education Committee
- Germantown Meals on Wheels Co-founding Coordinator
- Germantown Schools – Curriculum and Building Committee, Citizens Advisory Board Member
- American Field Service (AFS) Germantown Chapter President, AFS Host Family to Five Foreign Exchange Students
- University of Wisconsin, Washington County Campus – Citizen Council Member
- Germantown Homemakers Club Member
- Germantown Junior Women’s Club – President, History Committee Chair, Babysitting Workshop Facilitator
- Germantown Friends of the Library Founding Committee Member, Deuwachter Preschool Story Time Coordinator
- Milwaukee Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women
- Archdiocese S.T.E.P. Parenting Program Facilitator
- St. Mary Parish Menomonee Falls – Liturgical and Family Commissions Member, Ladies’ Solidarity President
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- Germantown Chamber of Commerce
- Citizen of the Year, 1983
- Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, 2003
- (subsequent award winners receive named “Irene Blau Lifetime Achievement Award”)
- Mount Mary Madonna Medal for Outstanding Community Service, 1987
- Germantown 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal,
- Germantown High School Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal, 1986
- Germantown Christmas Parade Grand Marshal, 1983
- Salvation Army Certificate of Recognition, 1985
- State Historical Society of Wisconsin Award of Merit, 1982
