Born 14 March 1925 Chitwood, Oregon to John Elmer and Katie Clare (Edwards) Newcomb. Irma attended schools in Alsea and Rickreall, Oregon. She graduated from high school in McMinnville, Oregon. Irma worked as a welder at Willamette Iron & Steel and Commercial Iron Works in Portland, Oregon from 1943 through 1945.
Irma joined the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in March 1945. She took her boot camp training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and stationed at El Toro Marine Base at Santa Ana, CA. She met James H. Lang, who had been a prisoner of war of the Germans for over two years and they married 16 January 1946. James received his discharge from the Army Air Corps and Irma received her honorable discharge from the Marine Corps.
They lived in New Your City while James went to RA Institutes and Irma took classes at Rhodes School and worked as a waitress. James decided to return to the Army in 1947 and served through 1964. His first post was at Brooks Army Base, San Antonio, Texas where first son, Henry was born. He was transferred to Clark Air Force Base, Philippines, where second son, Paul was born. The family moved once again to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida where they welcomed third son, Richard. Onward again to Landsberg, Germany where fourth son, Phillip was born. James next had a tour at Francis E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming where Irma volunteer work at the Family Services Center. After that posting, he was transferred to RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom where Irma became an officer in the NCO Wives Club and joined a bowling league. After returning from the UK, James retired from the US Air Force and the family settled in the Puget Sound area.
Irma joined the US Postal Service in 1969 working in Seattle and Olympia Post Offices. She also worked for the Olympian newspaper and did domestic service after leaving the Postal Service. Irma and James divorced in 1985.
Irma joined the Wally Byam Caravan Club 1999 and moved to the Washington Land Yacht Harbor in Lacey, WA in 2000. She was the Recording Secretary for the Unit for four years. She then moved to the Colonial Inn, Olympia, WA in 2016.
Irma enjoyed many hobbies, stationary design, knitting, crocheting and card games, especially bridge.
Irma was preceded in death by her parents, John and Katie Newcomb, son Richard, granddaughter Anissa, brothers Russell and Stanley Newcomb, sister & bother-in-law Thelma & Milton Holtznagel and their son Keith. She is survived by sons Hal (Snow), Paul (Denise), Phillip (Gayla), brother Gary (Carol) Newcomb, grandchildren Heather, Christine, Marie, Michael & Christopher and their mother Kathy and daughter-in-law Betsey Lang as well as 5 great granddaughters and numerous nieces and nephews.
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