Irmgard M. Stevens Obituary (1920 - 2012)

Irmgard "Irma" M. Stevens, age 92 of Wheeler, WI died unexpectedly on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Dunn County Health Care Center in Menomonie. Irma was born April 22, 1920 in Berlin, Germany to Otto & Martha (Gruenwald) Methner. At the age of seven the family moved to the Chicago, IL area where they became U.S. Citizens. She attended school in IL and began working as a seamstress in the Garment Industry, working for Lane Bryant in Chicago for many years. She married DuWayne Stevens on June 28, 1951 after DuWayne returned from his Navy stint. In about 1984 DuWaynes mother became ill and Irma came to their home farm in Wheeler and cared for her. After her death, DuWayne's father became ill and Irma stayed on to care for him. In 1987, DuWayne retired and the family made their permanent residence on the Stevens home farm. Irmgard was a homemaker and raised the three children as well as doing "mending" work for others. Her "faith" was very important to her and she taught Sunday School for over twenty-five years. She was a very active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Menomonie and actually made "black out drapes" for the church for Good Friday Services. Her knowledge of the Bible was immense and as her family would read to her, she would interject added points of the scripture which was being read. She is survived by three children, Jean (Carleton) Richter of Princeton, WI, Richard (Judy) Stevens of Wheeler and Robert (Linda) Stevens of Morton Grove, IL; 15 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; one sister, Ursula Makowijczak; other relatives and many friends. Irma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, DuWayne (2006); and 2 brothers, Paul and Otto Methner. Funeral Services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Pastor Brett Voigt officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Menomonie.