7/25/1922 – 2/8/2019
Irma Ann Kresl was born July 25, 1922 in Dodge, Nebraska, to Ludvig Kresl and Anna Chudomelka Kresl. Her grandparents were Stepan and Anna Kresl, and Frank and Anna Chudomelka. Her great-grandparents were Frantisek and Eva Janecek Chudomelka, who came to Dodge from Bohemia in 1871.
Irma had two brothers, Leon and John. At an early age Irma and her cousin Florence Mlnarik claimed each other as “sisters”, a lifelong bond.
Irma attended St. Wenceslaus grade school and graduated from Dodge High School. Irma and her good friend Irene went to Omaha to find work. After Leon graduated from Dodge High School, their mother moved to Omaha with their younger brother John. After a time Irma and Leon got her settled in a house on Grand Avenue.
Irma met Ken Sanford who had purchased the house next door on Grand Avenue for his parents. They were married May 13, 1950. They bought a house nearby, on 24th and Meredith. Here three children were born: Mary Ann in 1951, Kenneth Charles in 1953, and James in 1954.
About 1956, Ken and his older brother Chuck rented a farm near Leshara Nebraska, and both families moved there. Rita Jean was born during this time, in 1957.
After a year, Irma and Ken rented a farm near Lindsay, Nebraska. There, in 1958, John David was born.
The family returned to Omaha in 1962 and settled into a house in the Minne Lusa area. Irma and Ken were both concerned with John, who had autism and cerebral palsy among other health problems. They both attended meetings at the state and local level and advocated for education and vocational training. Irma was there during the growth of GOARC (now The Ollie Webb Center) and ENCOR. She came to know many of the wonderful people who taught and worked with John.
Irma retired from Teamsters Local 554 at 62. She took care of John until he died in 1995.
As busy as life kept her, her focus was her family. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren – she loved us and let us know that she lived for us. She was proud of her ‘big bunch’ of family. She opened her heart to her grandkids’ spouses, and their parents and siblings. She stretched her definition of ‘family’ as far as necessary to include all the important people in her life. We learned so much from her. We won’t forget.
Preceded in death by son John David, brother Leon, younger sister Marcella, brother John, “sister” Florence, and parents.
Survived by Ken and Mary Claire Sanford, Rita Sanford, Mary Wood and James Sanford.
13 Grandchildren – 19 Great-grandchildren – 2 Great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation Tuesday, February 19, 2019 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM with Rosary at 7:00 PM at Roeder Mortuary, 108th Street Chapel; Funeral Mass 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Holy Name Catholic Church 2901 Fontenelle Blvd. Omaha, Nebraska; Interment Calvary Cemetery Omaha, Nebraska.
In Lieu of Flowers Memorials can be made to Holy Name Catholic Church or House of Hope.
Roeder Mortuary, Inc. – 108th Street Chapel; 2727 N 108th St – Omaha, NE – 402-496-9000; www.RoederMortuary.com
I will always remember Irma as a caring and loving lady .Please know that I will be thinking and praying for all of you on Wednesday and always. love from cousin Harriette Sanford Kaiser
Mary,
I am sorry for your loss. Your Mom’s obit brings a rush of memories from growing up and walking past your home on the Curtis St hill after school where your brother was often outside on the porch enjoying fresh air to the birthday surprise in which you participated in 7th grade. But reading your Mom’s history ….. wow …. my Dad was born in 1921 and his grandparents came from Bohemia and settled near Valpraiso NE and Brainard, NE not far from Dodge. And it seems we had classmates with the Kresl and Janecek names but I am remembering a different spelling for it! I hope you will be at the 50th reunion this year! In the mean time, lovingly put your Mother to rest with all the fond memories you have. She raised very good children!! May God take her in and give you peace at this time!! Sue Dentlinger
So sorry for your family’s loss hugs always
Beautiful writing, so sorry for your lost.
Our hearts go out to all of you. We will not be there. We have had a mass in her name.
Good bless all of you and may the knowledge of her Christian Life help you have peace and assurance that she will rest in heaven with all of her loved ones that have gone before her.
Sending my love out to the family. I will be there for the Funeral Mass on Wednesday and see you all. What a great picture of Irma and a wonderful obituary.