Centro Cultural Latino founders Ronn Vargas and Irene Gomez-Bethke (far right and third from right) with Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser (second from right), Chuy Negrete, and an unidentified man, 1982. From “Photographs, undated and 1981–1988,” in box 1 of the Irene Gomez-Bethke papers, Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.

Irene Gomez-Bethke (center) in the audience of her Metropolitan State University graduation ceremony in St. Paul, 1980s. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

Irene Gomez-Bethke (first row, at right) with her husband and children during her retirement, 2010s. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

Irene Gomez-Bethke with then-candidate-for-governor Rudy Perpich and his wife, Lola Perpich, ca. 1980s. Left to right are Jack L. Bethke, Jesse Bethke, Raquel Cervantes, Irene Gomez-Bethke, Rudy Perpich, Jack. A. Bethke, Lola Perpich, and Manuel J. Cervantes. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.