Irma Katherine Hecke

Irma Katherine Hecke, nee Bratzel, 94, of Millstadt, Illinois, died Monday, December 14, 2015, at Oak Hill Rehabilitation and Care Center in Waterloo, Illinois. Irma was born November 18, 1921 in Hebron, North Dakota, to the late George and Katherine, nee Schmalenberger, Bratzel. In August 1926, Irma moved to Millstadt with her family. She grew up working on a farm near Millstadt and developed a strong work ethic planting, raising and harvesting food crops and tending to livestock. She learned the art of canning food and grew to be an extremely talented quilter. Irma was an active member of Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt where she attended Sunday School, was confirmed and taught Sunday School. She attended and graduated from John Nolan School near Millstadt and Millstadt High School. Irma generously donated her time and talent as a quilter at Zion Evangelical Church and Millstadt Senior Center. She also used her talents to help design her home. Irma served as President of Millstadt American Legion Post 502 Ladies Auxiliary and Bi-County Auxiliary. She was a very active member of the Order of Eastern Star in which she twice served as Worthy Matron of the Monroe Chapter and was appointed Grand Representative by the Worthy Grand Matron of Illinois. During her life, Irma made numerous beautiful quilts for relatives, friends and local charitable causes. Irma loved flowers and plants and absolutely cherished her garden and yard that featured a variety of flowers and plants. Despite any personal hardships, Irma’s smile was contagious and brightened the day of others. “Irma, we’ll greatly miss your smiling face!” Irma was preceded in death by her first husband, Elmer Boehm, whom she married in 1946 and who died in 1962, and her second husband, Walter Hecke, whom she married in 1965 and who died in 2006. She was also preceded in death by a son in infancy in 1949 and her adopted son Dale William Boehm who died in 1990. In addition, Irma was preceded in death by brothers Valentine Tobias “Toby” Bratzel and Wendell Bratzel and sisters Bertha Strauss, Roberta Bieber and Paula Metzger. Irma is survived by her sister-in-law Shirley Boehm of Millstadt, grandchildren Julie Boehm Cruz and Dale Boehm, Jr., great grandchildren Britnye Vela, Dale Cruz and Austin Boehm, nieces, nephews and other relatives, as well as many cherished and special friends. Memorials may be made to Zion Evangelical Church Elevator Fund. Visitation will be Saturday, December 19, 2015, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt. An Eastern Star service will be held at 10:45 a.m. Irma’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m. at Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt, with Pastor Darrell Weber officiating. Burial will be at St. Marcus Cemetery in Red Bud, Illinois.

Irma Katherine Hecke

November 18, 1921 - December 14, 2015