Imogene Rose Perkins

Imogene Rose (Kosch) Perkins, 90, died on Sunday afternoon October 14, 2012 at the Kimball County Manor surrounded by family and friends. Visitation will be held from 3-7 pm on Sunday, October 21st followed by a Christian Wake Service at 7 pm; both will be held at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball. Mass of Christian Burial for Imogene will be held on Monday, October 22nd at 10 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kimball with Father Robert Karnish officiating. Burial will follow in Christus Gardens at the Kimball Cemetery. Friends may visit www.cantrellfh.com to view the obituary and leave condolences for the family. The services have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home

Imogene “Jean” was born on January 6, 1922 to Herman John and Loretta Mae (McGowan) Kosch, at the family farm near David City, NE. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Marietta High School near David City. She graduated from St. Catherine’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1942 as a Registered Nurse. She was employed as an R.N. at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, IL; as a surgical nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Columbus, NE; and as an R.N. at Kimball County Hospital in Kimball, NE.

While working in Chicago, Imogene met the love of her life on a blind date, John Phillip Perkins of Palos Park, IL. They married on August 23, 1944 at Presentation Parish Church in Bellwood, NE. They lived in Palos Park, IL until 1950, when they moved to the family farm north of Kimball which is now a 4th generation operation. Imogene had a strong love for the land. She felt blessed to be able to raise her family on the farm as she had been raised. She enjoyed being able to share that love with her family.

Imogene “Jean” was a devoted member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, active in PTA, and a past president of Rosary Society. She was a member for several years of the Governing Board of Greater Nebraska Health Systems Agency and the Kimball County Hospital Auxiliary. She was a dedicated volunteer at the Bargain Bin in Scottsbluff and Kimball, the Senior Friendship Center, and the Kimball County Manor Nursing Home, officially retiring one month shy of her 90th birthday.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Gloria (Jack) Cook, Kimball, NE, Mary K. (Don) Brunner, Brule, NE, Lois (Bill) Cox, Greenback, TN; daughter-in-law, Trudy (Jeff) Hines, Lincoln, NE; 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; a sister, Catherine Marie Dalton, Scottsbluff, NE and a brother, John Joseph Kosch, Loveland, CO.

Memorials can be made to either the Kimball Cemetery Memorial, 223 So. Chestnut St., Kimball, NE 69145; Senior Friendship Center, 107 S. Oak, Kimball, NE 69145 or Sidney Regional Medical Center Hospice, c/o Annette Kruger, 645 Osage St., Sidney, NE 69162.

Imogene was a very strong woman and she could always make lemonade out of any lemons life gave her. She was always prepared for any visitor, whether it be with dilly bars, pizza soup, coffee or just an ear to listen. Imogene will be remembered by her family, friends and neighbors for her wonderful smile, sense of humor, intelligence, loving heart, kindness and generosity, as well as her ability to always be a lady.