Irene "Rena" Kachevas (nee Rombakis), 99, gently slipped into the embrace of our Lord on May 25, 2024. She lived a life emblematic of the American dream. Born in the seaside village of Finikounda, Greece, she was the devoted daughter of the late Zacharias and Georgia Rombakis. After finishing school, she was ready to begin a new life. At 23, she boarded the passenger ship Saturnia and arrived in the United States via Ellis Island on June 23, 1947. In November that same year in Dubuque, Iowa, she carried white chrysanthemums as she walked down the aisle to marry the man who would become her life partner and true love, Private First Class James "Jimmy" Kachevas. Rena and Jimmy worked side by side owning two iconic restaurants: first, Jimmy's Restaurant and later Demetri's Restaurant and Viking Lounge, both of which became institutions renowned for their welcoming hospitality and Jimmy's well known humor. They raised three children, Christine (Angelo) Coutris, Marlene Kachevas, and Peter (Anna) Kachevas and were one of the founding members of St. Elias the Prophet Greek Orthodox Church in Dubuque. Their church family was an integral part of their lives during these pivotal years. After her beloved Jimmy passed away in 1996, Rena moved to Cleveland, Ohio to be close to her children. She became an active member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Rocky River, Ohio where she took great joy in the parish Bible Study Group and as well as the Daughters of Penelope. A proud wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, she will be remembered as a loving person who hosted the most elegant parties, worked tirelessly and was a great friend to so many. Rena was a kind intelligent and generous woman. In addition to being survived by her beloved children and her dear sister Kaity (the late Thomas Tselepis), she is also survived by her loving grandchildren Alexis (Anthony) Trakas, John (Maria) Coutris, Nicole Coutris, Demetri Kachevas, Stefano (Panagiota) Kachevas, and Zachary (Konstantina) Kachevas, as well as the great grandchildren who were her absolute joy: Dimitra, Christina, and Evangelos Coutris, Anna Maria and Christiana Trakas, and Marianna Kachevas. Rena was preceded in death by her husband and parents, as well as the late Constantine Z. (the late Joanna), the late, Socrates Z. (the late at Efthimia), the late Demetrios Z.(the late Myrtle), the late John Z. (the late Patricia), the late Vasiliki Peliotis (the late Chris E.)

May her memory be eternal!

Donations May Be Made To The Family