Irma E. Jurgens

Irma Elizabeth Ruddy Jurgens, the daughter of William and Mary Ruddy, was born at her parents home in Gutherie County. She was baptized, received her First Communion, and confirmed into the Catholic Faith.
Irma received her education in a country school near her home. During her youth, she developed her love of music while playing with her dad in his band. She played tenor banjo but mostly drums, which she enjoyed playing up until the last few years. She made her first set of drum sticks out of tree branches, and anytime a drummer was needed, she would rise to the occasion. She was a member of Herb’s Polka Dots and other small groups, and enjoyed entertaining at nursing homes. She just couldn’t sit still if there was good music playing. After her time in school, she worked at the Dime Store in Audubon.
Shortly after her marriage to LaVerne Jurgens, LaVerne was shipped off to fight in WWII, and Irma returned to Audubon to live. LaVerne was captured by the Germans and held as a POW for 4 years. After his release, they made their home in Audubon and were blessed with the birth of two sons, James (Jim) and William (Billy). They moved to Carroll, Iowa in 1955 and in 1969, they moved to Denison where Irma worked part time as a waitress. After LaVerne’s death, Irma continued her education and worked at the Denison Job Corps until retiring. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Irma made her home at Eventide, where she resided until her death on July 7, 2015 at the age of ninety-eight.
Irma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Laverne in 1982; son, Billy in 1970, grandson, Jason in 1990; two brothers; John and Donald Ruddy; in-laws; Lewis and Sophia Jurgens; brothers-in-law; Marvin and Ross Jurgens; sister-in-law, Ann Sheridan and her husband, Jerald; nephew Jerry (Mike) Sheridan; one niece, Donna Walp; niece-in-law, Jerri Sheridan. Survivors include one son, Jim and his wife, Nancy; two grandsons: Christopher and his special friend, Jennifer; Kody and his wife, Sarah; great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and Anastacia; Jocelyn and Paxton; Landon, Beau and Isabelle; one sister, Darleen; sister-in-law, Joyce and her husband, Jerry; several nieces, nephews and other family and friends.