Ninety-six years of family, friends, food, and fun anchored in Love only begins to describe Irma Deeds. Irma was born in Blue Earth, MN on July 11th, 1924 and died August 10th, 2020 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center.
She was known for her great hospitality extended to family and friends throughout her life and quietly brought out the best in people mainly in her children and grandchildren. She loved to give her time freely to teach, encourage, laugh and to humbly persevere.
After graduation from Bird City High School and WWII was over, Irma married Wayne Deeds in 1945 and they happily lived on their Beaver Creek ranch. Wayne and Irma had four children: Reva (Jon) Eicher, Linda (Ray) Crumbaker, Bill (Janice) Deeds and Jeanie (Fred) Schields.
Irma would help Wayne tend to the cattle early in the morning, fry chickens along with prepared fresh garden vegetables, run to town to install hand-made drapes-----all within a half days’ time. Irma understood the value of hard work and the gain it would bring her family, and what it would teach them. Irma’s beautiful hand-sewn drapes, interior decorating and wedding hostess skills became an admired passion for Irma. Against all odds at the age of 50, she founded a highly successful drapery business. In 2002 Wayne and Irma sold the ranch and moved to Colby where they lived until Wayne’s death in 2008. Irma moved to Goodland shortly after to be closer to family.
Irma is preceded in death by her husband Wayne and all four of her siblings. Irma is virtually the last surviving member of a 24-person Pinochle Club from Bird City.
She is survived by all of her children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren Michele Preston, Rick (Stacey) Eicher, Pete (Kendra) Eicher, Porter Crumbaker, Preston (Ally) Crumbaker, Paxton (Ciara) Crumbaker, Parker Crumbaker, Zac (Nikki) Deeds, Sara (Matt) Bromley, Tiffany (Scott) Mathias, Tahnee (Justin) Mueske, Tatum (Andy) Kepler and Tennille (Nick) Roppo, 20 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
During her later years, Irma’s competitive spirit was evident in her card playing with the grandchildren and her passion for sports mainly Kansas college basketball teams.
After 63 years of marriage, Wayne wrote in his last poem:
“But most important in My Life…….is IRMA, my joy and my wife!"
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