Irene Stamm

Irene Stamm, 95, of Washington, KS, died Saturday, December 26, 2015 at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville. Visitation was on Wednesday, December 30 from noon to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 31 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Washington. Pastor Judy Hill officiated. Musicians were Sheila Ouellette, Marie Stamm and Lori Kopp. Hymns were “Here I Am Lord,” “Precious Lord Take My Hand,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “On Eagles Wings.” Pallbearers were Larry Reith, Richard Reith, Gavin Schafer, James Schafer, Justus Schafer, Kenneth Meyer, Eric Strathman and Christian Holtzen. Burial was in Washington City Cemetery. The daughter of Henry and Anna Reith Beikman, Irene was born on Aug. 10, 1920, at rural Clifton, Kan. She grew up in the Immanuel Lutheran Church area west of Linn, Kan. She was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church and received her education in their Lutheran School. She left school after her grade school years to live in Washington with her brother and work. Irene was united in marriage to Lloyd Charles Stamm on Sept. 7, 1941. He soon entered in the US Army Air Corp and was stationed in various places in the United States. After their son, Gary, was born she followed and lived short times in California and also in San Antonio, Texas. After the war, he was discharged and they settled on the family farm where his parents and grandparents had lived. It was there that daughter, Linda, was born. Irene was the typical farm wife, always ready to take lunch to the field, making sure that everyone, including the men who came to help with harvest, had enough to eat and a meal wasn’t complete unless potatoes and gravy were on the menu. To the very end, she wasn’t convinced her son, Gary, was getting enough to eat. She enjoyed gardening and farm life and each year she and a couple of sisters would raise and process 200 chicken fryers for the freezer. Irene and her family were Charter members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Washington, Kan. She was a Sunday School teacher for many years and was a member of the Women’s group and helped with many of the church activities. Irene enjoyed her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, and a baby would always make her smile. She also enjoyed traveling, and she and Lloyd took many trips together. After her husband, Lloyd, died in 1993, she lived in their home in Washington for a number of years before moving to a smaller apartment in 2000, where she resided until her death. Irene loved to play Bingo and would drive two nights a week to Hanover and Marysville. She made many friends there and enjoyed playing cards as well. Irene continued to live independently until about one week ago. She is survived by her son, Gary, Washington, Kan., and his wife, Carol, and their four children: daughter, Tricia Strathman, Lenexa, Kan., and her husband, Eric, and children, Allison, Kristen and Erica; son, Kevin Stamm, Omaha, Neb., and his wife, Marie, and children, Elizabeth and Jonathan; son, Mike Stamm, Manhattan, Kan., and his wife, Jess, and sons Nathaniel and Levi; daughter Lori Kopp, Overland Park, Kan., and her husband, Brian, and their son, Ethan. Irene is also survived by daughter, Linda Rosenkranz, Stromsburg, Neb., and her three children: daughter, Rhonda Schafer, Grapevine, Texas, and her husband, James, and children, Justus, Gavin, Aurora and Ronin; son, Jason Rosenkranz, Columbus, Neb., and his wife, Kellie, and their children, Miranda, Shayden and Mason; daughter, Erin Holtzen, Stromsburg, Neb., and her husband, Jay, and their children, Christian, Kenna and Dane. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; son-in-law, Ron Rosenkranz; her parents; two brothers, Walter and Paul; five sisters, Freida Meyer, Ester Meyer, Edna Reith, Leona Stigge Wiechman and Mabel Sheik. A memorial fund is established to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irene Stamm, please visit our flower store.