Irene Josephine Bermel

Monday, February 20, 2012

Feb. 25, 1922 - Feb. 17, 2012

BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Irene Josephine Bermel, age 89, passed away Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska.

Irene Josephine Kudera was born, Feb. 25, 1922, in Clarkson, Nebraska to Joseph and Josephine Kudera. After graduating from School District No. 51 in Colfax County Nebraska, she attended Lincoln Cosmotology School graduating in January of 1944. Irene owned and operated a beauty salon in Lincoln, Nebraska. On June 11, 1948, she married Dale Bermel in Oakland, Nebraska. They lived in various towns in Nebraska before settling down in Ogallala, where they managed the Tastee Drive Inn for many years. Irene also managed the Hungry Indian in Ogallala for six years. In 1976, Irene moved to Stratton, Nebraska and owned and operated the Village Inn. After several years, she worked as head cook for the Benkelman Hester Home. In 2001, she retired in Stratton. She then moved to Benkelman where she lived at the Rainbow Apartments and eventually moved in to the Hester Home as a permanent resident. One of Irene's favorite pasttimes was driving to see family and friends. She loved playing cards and putting puzzles together. Irene was a long time member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sisters Mildred and Delores.

Survivors include one daughter Fraya Krukar (Mike) Anchorage, Alaska, three sons, Dana, Stratton, Nebraska, David (Sandy), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Doug (LeAnne), Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Renetta Chavez (Clint), Sidney, Nebraska, Regina Goeller (Corry), Round Rock, Texas, Michelle Walters (Jim), Des Moines, Iowa, Lauran Krause (Devon), Enid, Oklahoma, Matt (Megan), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; four great-grandchildren, Kaleigh and Brody Chavez, Alexis Walters and Catherine (CJ) Goeller. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Irene's memory at the McCook National Bank 403 Bailey Street Stratton, NE 69043.

A celebration of Irene's life will be held at the Rainbow Fountain Park in Benkelman, Nebraska from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. A private inurnment will be held at a later date in Clarkson, Nebraska.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook and Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman are in charge of the arrangements. Please visit our website at www.carpenterbreland.com to sign the online guestbook or leave a message of condolences for Irene's family.