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 her husband, Jack, and Jesse A. Lopez (one of their twenty-two great grandchildren), ca. 2000s. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

Irene Gomez-Bethke with Walter Mondale (center) and Jack A. Bethke (right), ca. 1982. 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.

Irene Gomez-Bethke (first row, at left) receiving an award at a community event, ca. 1980s. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

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 (right) and a colleague representing a committee at a meeting in Oklahoma City, 1970s. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

Irene Gomez-Bethke, 1970s. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

Jack Bethke and Irene Gomez-Bethke (second row) with their children, 1970s. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

The early years of the Bethke Gomez family, 1960s. Pictured are (seated on the couch, left to right), Mary, Julia, Jack, Irene, and Patty. On the floor are (left to right), Anita, Jack, and Jesse. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.