Irene Buri-Nelson, 84, of Kenosha, passed away Friday, July 7th, 2006, at St. Catherine's Medical Center. Born in Kenosha on March 17, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Phillip and Genevieve (Gary) Buri. She was a lifelong resident of Kenosha and was educated at St. James Elementary School, Washington Jr. High and Bradford High School. She also attended Broadcasting School and the Patricia Stevens Charm School, took her first job at American Brass, and joined WLIP radio as Women's Director on their first day of broadcast in May 1947. Currently she would be celebrating nearly sixty years of broadcasting at WLIP. She was a long time member of St. James Catholic Church where she married her husband George Nelson, Jr. in 1952. He preceded her in death in 1992. Irene has been a contributor to various groups and organizations in Kenosha, including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Humane Society, Animal Rescue groups, the Kenosha Rotary, St. James Church and St. Joseph High School. She was former President of American Women in Radio and Television. She was also the first woman nominated and elected to the Wisconsin Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame in 1991. She received radio's LULU awards in 1958 and 1987 for editorial excellence in reporting male fashion news, and was featured in "Who's Who Among American Women". Scouting was also a passion of hers, as her late husband was a former area Boy Scout Council president. This past January, she received an award from the Boy Scouts for her involvement in the community. Six years prior, a local Girl Scout council had bestowed to her the "Be Your Best Award". Surviving are nieces and nephews, Diane O'Dwyer, Larry and Kathy Nelson, Scott and Kathie Nelson, Kevin and Deanna Nelson, Rick and Pat Nelson, Jeff and Terri Nelson, and Judy and Al Kohlmeier; a brother-in-law, Robert (Rose) Nelson; two sisters-in-law, June Nelson and Charlene Nelson; and several great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Genevieve; a brother, Joseph; a great nephew, Dan O'Dwyer; and two brothers-in-law, Richard C. Nelson and David L. Nelson. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 11th, from the Proko Funeral Home at 9:30 am. Mass to be celebrated at St. James Catholic Church at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at St. George Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials to a charity of one's choice would be appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533www.prokofuneralhome.com