Irene Cuch

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   Irene Cesspooch Cuch was born on January 5, 1938 in Fort Duchesne Utah to Alberto and Vessie Ioka Cesspooch. She died on August 8, 2023.  Irene had six brothers and four sisters, Roybird, George, James, Clayton, Adelbert, Earl, Lorena,  Maida, Edith and Alice. She was very proud of her brothers for the service and sacrifice they made when they joined the service. 
    Irene married Jasper Weech Cuch Jr., and later divorced, they had five children:  Benjamin, Rebecca, Jamie (deceased), Rozanna (John Padilla), and Lou Wanda Gray.  Irene has 21 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. 
    Irene accomplished many things in her life and she was a great inspiration to her family and the Ute Tribe, she was dedicated in protecting and advocating to preserve the treaty rights for the Ute Indian Tribe.  This was evident in her lengthy leadership as an elected Council member of the Ute Indian Tribe. She served various terms on Tribal Council in 1969-1973, 2004-2009, 2009-2013 as a  member, Vice-Chairwoman and Chairwoman.  
    Irene began her lengthy employment with the Ute Tribe in 1960, throughout her career she worked over 44 years in various departments: Accounting Department,  Ute Cattle Enterprise, Voucher & Statistical Department, Administrative Officer, Director of Johnson O Malley Program, Director of the Senior Citizen Program, etc. Irene received many awards and outstanding recognition for her hard work, dedication and service.  One of the highlights she was proud of was being appointed by President Richard M. Nixon to the National council on Indian Opportunity. Only eight boards members were selected throughout Indian County and Irene was the only woman appointed to serve on the board. In 1973, Irene was selected to serve as Area Representative on the National Congress of American Indians, this was another great achievement that she was honored to fulfill.  She also served as a board member on the National Coalition of Large Land Base Tribes, the Ute Tribe Water Board and the Uintah & Ouray Irrigation Board, etc.  Protecting the Tribal Resources was one of Irene’s priorities and she demonstrated this many times in testimonies she gave on behalf of the Ute Tribe in Washington D.C.
    Other accomplishments of Irene’s include her work on the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veteran of Foreign Wars. She was appointed to the State President for Utah in 2006 to 2007, she was also the District President for the Ladies Auxiliary. This was another great testament to what she valued in her life. The service and sacrifice her brothers made in service made her very proud and she wanted to dedicate the work she did with the Ladies Auxiliary to acknowledge them and all men and women warriors that served in the military. 
    Irene also participated in the 2002 Olympic Ceremonies, the Ute Tribe participated in the opening ceremony, with her daughter Rozanna and granddaughter Janel, and many other tribal members had the opportunity to showcase their traditional dance styles.
    Irene was also a member of the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, Randlett, Utah.  She served as a Bishop Warden for several years, a role she proudly served. She had strong spiritual beliefs and this helped guide her throughout life. She always told her family to find strength in prayer and the heavenly father our creator will help you. This and her traditional beliefs were important foundations in her life. 
    Irene lived a very full life, this is exemplified in all she accomplished and achieved throughout her years. She loved to travel, spend time with her family, watch CNN, gardening & yard work.  She enjoyed the holidays and loved to decorate her home.
    Her children and grandchildren are so proud of their mother, grandmother, great grandmother, she was one of the sweetest most loving person and she is going to be dearly missed. 
    Irene is survived by her son, Benjamin Cuch, daughters, Rozanna (John) Padilla, LouWanda Gray, Rebecca Cuch, grandchildren, Brandon Gray, Heather & lil Braven Gray, Aundreau Gray (Aunnie), Pamela Irene Cuch, Shawn, Jason, Jaymie Tahguv, Earl Cuch, Cameron Laberum, Janel and Lil Layloni Cuch, Nathaniel & Laureena Greaves, Delford Cesspooch, Kallum and Nay Nay Cesspooch, and  great-grandchildren. 
    Preceded in death by her father, Alberto Cesspooch, mother, Vessie Ioka, siblings, Roybird, George, James, Clayton, Adelbert, Earl, Lorena, Maida, Edith and Alice, son, Jamie Cuch and grandson, Morgan Gray (baby). 
    Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 14, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Randlett.  Following the church service there will be an additional funeral service at the Ft. Duchesne Community Building about 11:00 a.m.  A wake will be held on Sunday afternoon after 3:00 p.m. and the Ft. Duchesne Community Building.  Burial will be in the Ft. Duchesne Cemetery.