Irma (Evans) TOMKE

TOMKE, EVANS, KEE, RUDE, ARVIZU, DEREUS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/29/2006 at 10:37:24

Irma Evans Tomke, 84, of Clarion, died Sunday, September 26, 2004 at her home in Clarion. Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 29th at the Clarion Church of Christ. Rev. Tim Plat officiated at the service. Burial was in St. John's Cemetery, Clarion.

Irma Evans was born April 8, 1920, on a farm in Franklin County, the daughter of William J. and Margaret (DeReus) Evans. The family moved to Clarion in 1928. Irma graduated from Clarion High School in 1937. She worked as a secretary for attorneys Nagle and Hill after graduation. She then attended the 48th General Assembly of the Legislature in Des Moines with Senator Hill, staying in Des Moines and working at the State Capitol until joining the Navy in 1943. Irma served 3 1/2 years in New York and Washington, D.C. Irma returned to Clarion and married Joseph R. Tomke on February 5, 1948. To this union, a daughter, Cheryl, was born in 1949. Joe and Irma owned and operated a Drug & Gift Store until Joe retired in 1982. Joe passed away in 1984. Irma was a member of the Church of Christ, American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Clarion Arts Council. She was a member of the Clarmond Country Club for over 50 years and the Belmond Country Club for the past few years. Her passion was playing bridge.

She is survived by her daughter, Cheri of Clarion; two sisters, Mary Arvizu and Wilma Rude, both of Des Moines; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Joe; one brother, Clif Evans; and one sister, Ione Kee.

September 30, 2004
© Wright County Monitor 2004