Irene DeVee Ulmer

Sutton resident Irene DeVee Ulmer, 91, died Thursday, April 12, 2012, at Heritage Crossings in Geneva, NE. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at the Federated Church in Sutton, NE with Rev. Eric Biehl officiating. Interment will follow at the Sutton Cemetery in Sutton, NE. Visitation will be Monday, April 16, 2012, from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., with family present from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, NE. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Irene Devee (Meyer) Ulmer was born July 8, 1920, on a farm south of Sutton, NE. She was born to Henry and Bertha (Isley) Meyer. Irene came from a large family; she was the first born and had many responsibilities at a rather young age. Irene was the oldest of ten children born in the span of 17 years. She had 3 brothers and 6 sisters. Her family lived at 8 different farms and she attended 6 different schools in her young life. Irene attended country school and graduated from the eighth grade at District 79 School. Irene chose not to attend High School due to the need of her help with the younger children at home. She married Benjamin Ulmer on December 31, 1939. They were united together at her parents' home that was south of Sutton, NE. Before her marriage, Irene was employed as a seamstress, living in Hastings, NE. On Irene's off hours she would roll bandages for the war effort. After her union to Benjamin, she became a dedicated hard working farm wife. When Ben and Irene were first married, they traveled to California and worked in the orchards and vegetable fields, after the birth of their first child Erwin; they returned to the rural Sutton area and started the good life of farming. She loved the farm life and enjoyed the outdoors. She raised livestock, crops, chickens and of course a massive garden. She helped her husband and sons to work their farm maintaining it after the death of her husband. Irene had 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Irene was forced to move to town due to health conditions. She made her residence at the Nolde Center. She then spent a short time at the Assisted Living at Sutton, NE. After a short period, she resided at the Heritage Crossings of Geneva, NE. Irene was a member of the Federated Church for over sixty years. She belonged to the Sutton Federated Women's Fellowship. She stayed actively involved until she became a resident at Heritage Crossings nursing facility. She remained actively attending church services at the nursing home. Irene believed in seeing the sights. She loved to travel and she loved seeing most of the 50 states as well as Canada and Western Australia. She had traveled by car, bus, train and air flight. She especially enjoyed Western Australia, Perth, Balcatta, she spent 6 months visiting her daughter and grandson. Irene enjoyed attending county and state fairs. She was extremely proud bringing home the ribbons and top prizes for the best preserves as well as homemade pies. She would stay up all night making the pies to take to the fair, hiding her efforts so the boys would not eat up all her hard work. It always paid off best prize after best prize. Irene loved family gatherings, whether it was a reunion, wedding, or a draduation, she would make every attempt to be there. Irene simply enjoyed family, the togetherness, the love and the joy she shared with her kids, grandkids - Jamie Dale, Carrie Marie, Scott Allen, Benjamin Jacob, Tasha Renae, Joseph LeeRoy, Katrina Liana, Jeffrey Wayne and her special great-granddaughter Claire Renee and great-grandson Bentley Owen. Her family meant a lot to her. Irene is survived by her sons, Erwin P. Ulmer of Lincoln, NE; LaVern L. and wife Carman Ulmer of rural Sutton, NE; Jerry A. and wife Ronda Ulmer of rural Shickley, NE; daughter, Evelyn L. Ulmer of Balcatta, Western Australia; 8 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Dean Meyer and 4 sisters, Dorothy Jean Curtis, Geneice Ulmer, Henrietta Huss and Marilyn Wright and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Benjamin Ulmer; son, Dale LeRoy Ulmer; daughter-in-law, Christena Ulmer; 2 brothers, Donald and Kenneth and 2 sisters, Nadine Carr and Betty Jane Holt.

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Irene DeVee Ulmer

July 8, 1920 - April 12, 2012