lipa

Lake Irene Preservation Association was established in 1982 for the purpose of joining Lake Irene's landowners to join together in maintaining the lake.

Lake Irene By Laws

Join the Lake Irene Preservation Association

It is a low-cost way to support the lake, get to know your neighbors and stay updated on lake activities.

Follow these simple steps:

Download and print this form (if paying via Venmo please email a copy of this form to admin@lakeirene.com)

Send form and $25 check made payable to LIPA to

LIPA

PO Box 153

Miltona MN 56354

Pay via Venmo

You will receive:

Updates from the LIPA board

Invitation to board events - ex: annual board meeting

Notices of upcoming activities - ex: annual 4th of July boat parade

LIPA Board members

Steve Kettler

President

Carol and I built a retirement home on the northeast side of Lake Irene in 2019, where we live year-round with my parents. Prior to that, we have been coming to the lake on an occasional basis for over 15 years.

I was born and raised in Sauk Centre, MN. My entire career involved the rural electrification industry.

Additionally, I volunteered with a number of community groups including economic development, nursing home and assisted living facilities.

Elected to the LIPA board of directors in August 2021, I enjoy working with the members of the association and the board of directors. Lake Irene is a big part of our lives and I want to see this beautiful location preserved for future generations.

Karen Cook

Secretary

My husband, Jason, and I bought our lake lot on the NW side of Lake Irene in 2010 and absolutely love this area and the community. We have spent a lot of time renovating so we can spend time here year round. We live in the Twin Cities most of the time but spend all the extra time we can at the lake. Our two kids, Lucas and Regan, don’t make it out as much anymore but have many great memories of weekends and holidays throughout their childhood.

My bachelor’s degree is in Political Science and Economics and I have a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey School at UMN. I am currently a law enforcement analyst at the City of Minnetonka in the City Attorney’s office.

I was elected to the board in 2024 and currently serve as secretary. I look forward to serving the community to ensure the quality of our lake and surrounding area for generations to come.

Christina Mielke

Board Member

In 2020, our family's way of getting through the pandemic was to purchase a cabin on the southwest side of Lake Irene. We fell in love with the peaceful environment and the sandy- bottom beaches. It has truly become a wonderful retreat from busy city life, and our children and grandchildren are already building amazing memories here. We especially love the July 4th boat parade and Lake Irene's Light Up the Night - those have quickly become family favorites.

I am a retired RN with an MBA and I'm excited to give back by serving on the board. I look forward to helping care for the lake's water quality so it can be enjoyed for generations to come. Just as importantly, I hope to keep building a strong, welcoming Lake Irene community and to lend a hand wherever I can to help preserve the beauty of this special place we all share.

Julia Strawn

Treasurer

Our summer home is on the east side of Lake Irene.

Our family has been on the lake since 1967 when my folks bought the resort then called Smitty's Hur'e Bac Resort. My mother, Evelyn, was an original founding member and secretary/treasurer of the Lake Irene Preservation Association. I have served as the association's treasurer since 2011.

Our permanent home is in Manhattan, Kansas, where I operate a bookkeeping business, Strawn & Assoc. LLC. My husband, Bob, is a retired business manager. We have two children and five grandsons who love Lake Irene.

Sally Vogel

Board Member

I grew up in St Peter, MN and my parents owned a cabin on Lake Emily, and I was lucky to live my summers at the lake for 14 years! Ever since I have always dreamed about owning a cabin! In the early 1990s we (Neal and our daughters Mindy and Gretchen) spent time on Lake Irene on summer weekends and on the 4th of July with the Shircliff family! We fell in love with the lake and the area! Well in December of 2016, my husband, Neal, and I purchased our cabin, Neal and my/our dream came true!

I retired on August 1, 2025 from the position of the Director of Finance for the City of Saint Peter after 7 years. Prior to working at the City of Saint Peter, I worked in various private sector manufacturing facilities as Controller. I graduated from the College of St. Benedict with a BA in Business Administration and an Accounting minor.

Neal and I plan to spend the summers (April-October) full time at the cabin!

Terri Myhre

Board Member

I grew up in Granite Falls MN and married my high school sweetheart. I attended technical college in Alexandria and that’s what peaked our interest in living here someday. Steve and I bought a small cabin in 1986 with the dream that we would retire on this beautiful Lake Irene someday. We were just weekenders then as we owned a retail business in Montevideo MN for 27 years. I was also service unit manager for Montevideo Girl Scouts and served as an Admiral for the Chamber of Commerce in Montevideo. Our 2 daughters and 4 grandkids were lucky enough to grow up on Lake Irene and enjoy the recreation and excellent fishing. In 2003 we moved the old cabin off the lot and built our new retirement home. Our dream finally came true in 2017 when we retired and made this our permanent home.

In August of 2024, I was elected to the Lake Irene Preservation Association Board and also serve on the social committee. I really respect the aggressive approach LIPA has taken to improve the quality of our beautiful Lake Irene and as a board member, I am committed to continuing that effort to preserve and protect our lake for generations to come. As a member on the social committee, I will continue to promote the friendships that we have gained as lake property owners. With unity there is strength!

Darby Nosbush

Vice-President

My wife Rondee and I have been Lake Irene residents in the South Bay for almost 10 years. For the first 8 years we were actively dairy farming by Fairfax, MN with my 2 brothers so we could only "vacation" here every third weekend. Last Labor Day our partnership had the opportunity to sell our business and retire. When our home by Franklin sells, we will be permanent residents on Irene. Back in Renville county I am currently a township supervisor and a former clerk.

My education includes degrees from the U of M in Ag mechanics and Farm business management. My interests are fishing, camping, classic vehicles and everything with our grandchildren.