Irene Louise Bertha (Doepke) Peters, the daughter of Frederick H. and Helena (Berlin) Doepke, was born February 2, 1928 at the family farm in Fremont Township, rural Tripoli, Iowa. She was baptized March 4, 1928 by Rev. Karl Koehler and confirmed March 29, 1942 by Rev. Theodore A. Thomas, at St. Peter’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Tripoli. She graduated from the Tripoli Community Schools in 1945. Irene was united in marriage with Elmer Otto Peters on December 12, 1948 at St. Peter’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Tripoli by Rev. Theophil E. Blaufuss. Irene and Elmer farmed near Tripoli for over forty years. She was also a homemaker.
Irene’s death occurred Monday, August 10, 2009 at her home in Tripoli, from cancer. She was eighty-one years old. Irene was a lifelong member of Faith United Church of Christ and the Faith Women’s Fellowship. She taught Sunday School and helped with many funerals. Irene was an avid card player, gardener, bird watcher, and she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Irene is survived by her husband, Elmer, of Tripoli; three daughters, Susan (Larry) Brown and Sandra (Gary) Snyder, both of Frederika, Iowa; and Shirley Heller of Waverly, Iowa; four grandchildren, Daniel (Shelly) Brown, Denise (Larry) Sears, Laura Snyder, and Amy Snyder; one step grandchild, Bradley (Stephanie) Brown; two great grandchildren, Shane and Rachael Sears; and two step great grandchildren, Ashley and Terri Brown.
Irene was preceded in death by one grandson, Scott Lee Snyder; one step granddaughter, Jackie Brown; her parents, Fred and Helena Doepke; two sisters, Leona Hildebrandt and Helen Kohagen; a son-in-law, Randy Heller; and a brother-in-law, Oscar Kohagen.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 14, 2009, at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli with Rev. Marilyn Sargent officiating. Burial will be at Faith United Church of Christ Cemetery in Tripoli. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 13, 2009, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Friday. Memorials may be made to the family.
