- Date Of Birth: July 1, 1919
- Date Of Death: June 12, 2017
- State: Nebraska
Irene was born July 1, 1919 to Ferdinand and Ida (Voecks) Uttecht on a farm north west of Platte, South Dakota. She was baptized July 31, 1919 at St. John’s Lutheran Church rural Platte. She attended 5 years of rural grade school in South Dakota. She finished grade school at the parochial school in Hadar. She was confirmed May 15, 1936 at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hadar. She attended Norfolk High School for 3 years and then moved to Randolph for her last year, graduating in 1936.
After graduation Irene worked at Omaha Cold Storage in Norfolk, and then she worked for her father who owned a produce station and also worked at the Norfolk Creamery.
Irene married Lester Koepke on April 15, 1942 at Zion Lutheran Church rural Hoskins. She served on many boards and taught Sunday school for many years at Zion Lutheran. In November of 1987 Irene and Lester moved to Norfolk for their retirement. They belonged to Our Savior Lutheran Church, where Irene was very involved.
She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 1644 and a charter member of LWML since 1942.
Irene is survived by her son Larry Koepke of Hoskins, daughter Sharon Koepke of Littleton, CO, 4 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-granddaughters. She is also survived by her best friend Ardith Herbolsheimer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lester on July 17, 2008, 3 brothers, 3 sisters, 2 brother-in-laws and 2 sister-in-laws.
Facts Born: July 1, 1919
Death: June 12, 2017
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