IRENE MEIER 1885-1973

HEDEMANN, MEIER, EATON, PHILLIPS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 4/22/2005 at 12:51:00

IRENE MEIER 1885-1973

Funeral services were held in the Schutte Funeral Home, Postville, Thursday, August 23, at 11:00 a.m. for Irene Meier, who died August 20, 1973, at Community Memorial Hospital. The Rev. Dick Harberts officiated.

Irene Meier, daughter of Carl William and Louisa Hedemann Meier, was born December 14, 1885 on a farm adjoining the Bethel Church northeast of Postville. She attended the Bethel Church as a young child and went to the country school known as West Grove. She graduated from the Postville high school in 1904. She moved to Farmersburg and taught country school for one year. In 1906 she attended Cedar Falls Normal, as it was called at that time.

She returned to Postville in 1908 to work as a saleslady and buyer in her father's department store. Following the death of her father, in 1937, she and her brother-in-law Lonny Phillips, took over the ladies and childrens wear department. Following the death of her brother, George Meier, she managed the grocery store. In 1950 she opened the store known as the "Irene Shop", retiring in 1960 after being in business in Postville for 53 years.

She was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Miss Meier was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Mrs. Frank (Louisa) Eaton and Mrs. A. J. (Amanda) Phillips; three brothers, Christian, George and Wilbur. She was the last of six children. Several nieces and nephews survive. Interment was in the Postville Cemetery.

Postville Herald - contributed by Mary Durr