Andy Irish Obituary

Andy was born Dec. 28, 1950, at the Stuart Hospital – now the White Horse Museum – and passed away at the Rock County Hospital in Bassett on June 13, 2025.
He was the first of seven children born to Merle Irish and Delores (Johnson) Irish. He started work at a very young age in the hay field for Stan Cobb; baled hay for Bob Greenfield; put up bins and irrigation pivots for Frank Svoboda; did auto body work for Jim Anderson in Bassett; worked at Sanger's Market for sixteen years; maintained the Cowboy Trail for Nebraska Game and Parks; and worked for its Wildlife Division for fourteen years before retiring in 2012. After retirement, he worked for three more years for his son and partner at Perfect Valley Irrigation.
Andy proudly served his country for eight and a half years – first in the Marines, then in the Army – serving in San Diego, CA; Fort Hood, TX; Germany; and Fort Lewis, WA.
His marriage to Sally Hytrek welcomed their three kids – Lee, Lorrie, and Shannon – into the world. In November 1999, he married Barb Skala, remaining in Bassett to be near his grandkids.
In his later years, he thoroughly enjoyed watching his five grandkids grow up. The apples of his eye were his four great-grandkids.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Barbara Skala-Irish; children Lee (Laurie) Irish of Bassett, Lorrie (Brent) Pearson of Papillion, and Shannon Irish (Jake Brainard) of La Vista; grandchildren Brooke (Jamin) Zeman of Long Pine, Bryant (Abby) Irish of Bassett, Alex Pearson and Austin Pearson of Papillion, and Tatum Page of La Vista; great-grandchildren Bryleigh, Kenna, and Maverick Zeman of Long Pine and Colton Irish of Bassett.
Surviving siblings include Terry (Cathi) Irish of La Vista, Rick (Darla) Irish of Omaha, Deb (Jimmy) Jones and Curt (Edna) Irish of Battleboro, NC, and Craig (Glenda) Irish of Stuart, as well as Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Del Stracke of Stuart. In-laws include Dick (Cathy) Skala, Cliff Skala, Mylon (Tammy) Skala, Joy (Rolf) Kuhlman, Cindy Overgard, and Lynn Wilson, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Andy was predeceased by his grandparents Elgie and Lottie Irish and Andrew and Sarah Johnson; his parents Merle and Delores Irish; and his sister Lanette Hytrek.
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