Irene Stoeber

Irene Christine Stoeber 1925 - 2014

Irene Stoeber was born on April 25, 1925 in Balta, North Dakota to George Zacher and Margaret Abel, she had two brothers and two sisters. The family were farmers. They moved to Tooella, Utah in 1940, Irene and her mother worked in the cafeteria and her father worked as an interpreter at a prisoner of war camp, as the family was able to speak German. Irene met her future husband Robert A. Stoeber, who was in the army serving as guard at the facility

Robert was transferred to California and Irene followed. They were married shortly after, subsequently Robert was sent to the Pacific theatre. Irene stayed in California working in a shoe factory. At the conclusion of the war and Robert's discharge from the Army, Irene and Robert moved to Ogden, Utah where Irene's family lived. Unable to find adequate work, Robert enlisted in the military again and was transferred to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. By this time, they had two sons, Ronald and Robert. After living three years in Denver, it was off to Del Rio, Texas for three years. During this time the first daughter, Lynda was born. Transfers and disruptions to home life is a normal part of living for the military family.

In 1953, the family headed to Anchorage, Alaska, driving the Al Can Highway. We traveled
dirt roads, as it was being built to take military supplies to Alaska to be sent to Korea for the war effort there. Irene considered this her big adventure. The family lived there three years and enjoyed outdoor activities camping, hunting, and fishing.

We were transferred to Ardmore, Oklahoma in 1956, then to Sumter, South Carolina for one year. The family moved back to Ogden, Utah in 1959. Irene was left alone to care for the house and kids while Robert was in Lakenheath, England finding housing so the family could join him. In England, the family visited the many castles and toured, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. During the stay in England the second daughter, Judy was born. Ronald graduated from high school and Irene was ever the homemaker.

From England, the family moved to Amarillo, Texas where Cindy, the third daughter and the fifth of the children was born. Robert graduated from high school. Irene's husband Robert was sent to Viet Nam and Irene once again was left to attend the house and kids while her husband was serving the country.

Upon Robert's return from Viet Nam, they decided to retire and the family made the final move back to Denver, Colorado. After a few years of retirement and a new house Irene's husband died suddenly, leaving Irene once again to tend the house and three young girls. Irene went to work at Samsonite Corp, retiring in 1990 after 22 years of service. In Irene's retirement, she enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved family gatherings and picnics. Irene passed January 29, with family at her side. Irene was a woman of deep faith all her life and a devoted mother. Irene is survived by one sister, Alice; 5 children; Ron, Robert, Lynda, Judy, Cindy; 7 grandchildren; Robert, David, Amy, Matt, Eric, Erin, Evan; 3 great grandchildren, Bryon, Jonathan, Jaxon.

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