Champion- Irene "Boots" Carriere, age 96, lifelong Champion area resident, passed away on Friday September 2 ,2022 at the D.J. Jacobetti MI Veterans Facility in Marquette.

Irene was born on August 5, 1926 in Princeton, MI, daughter of the late William Fountain and Pauline Bertoldo. After attending High School, Irene went on to work at the Ben Franklin store in Negaunee. She was married to Dawson Carriere in 1947, a marriage that encompassed 66 years until his passing in 2013.Together they owned and operated the Red Owl Agency and the Northland Food Store in Champion. They retired in 1985 after 38 years.

Irene was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion. She spent lots of time operating her store, but in her free time she enjoyed bowling, sewing, and loved fishing. She loved running the boat and catching the big ones on Lake Superior. All enjoyed the fried lake trout that came after.

Irene is survived by 2 children- Dawson (Candace) Carriere, Patrick (Beverly) Carriere, sister- Dora Mussatto, 4 grandchildren- Todd (Stephanie) Carriere, Tina Carriere, Brandon Carriere, Zachary Carriere, 2 great grandchildren- Samantha and Hayley, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband- Dawson Carriere, brothers- Barth Bogetto, Frank Bogetto, Martin Bogetto, William Fountain, and sisters- Mary (Bogetto) Fralick and Stella Fountain.

A Mass for Boots will be said on Sunday October 2, 2022 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion.  Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee.

Irene's family would like to extend a thank you to the staff at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans, the care they gave was above and beyond to give that extra support and comfort.

Special thanks to Sister Margey for her visits to provide spiritual reinforcement.

Irene's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.