Irma Marie Cogburn

Irma Marie Jennings Cogburn was born Sept. 16, 1928 in Kaw City, Oklahoma to Eula Mae Sanders and Alfred Wayne Jennings and died June 27, 2021 in Greeley, Colorado. Her parents divorced when she was 2 years old and in 1940 her mother remarried and she was raised by her beloved stepfather, Floyd Schneider. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Travis Ludwell, and Clyde Wayne; her stepfather; and her beloved husband Lawrence.

Irma was raised in Kansas until the age of 17 when she moved to Greeley. She graduated from Greeley High School in 1947 and married her husband Lawrence in September of 1947 and moved to Gilcrest where she lived until 2016.

Quite simply, Irma loved people and people loved her. While raising her three children, Irma was involved in many school and community activities including the PTA, and the Gilcrest Circle Social Club. She was active in the Valley High Band Boosters Club, and she received an honorary chapter degree from the FFA chapter at Valley High School. She served on the United Way budget committees for 9 years, and was Chairwoman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for 11 years. She also kept books for Earl Cogburn and Sons Potato Dock.

In 1967, she was appointed as the first woman Postmaster for Gilcrest, Colo. and served as Postmaster from 1967-1990. During her tenure, the Gilcrest Post Office advanced from a small 3rd class post office to a busy 2nd class office, receiving many awards for customer service. Irma served on the Postmaster’s advisory and image committees for many years and was on the Ben Franklin and Woman’s advisory for her area. She was inducted into the Colorful Colorado Postmaster’s Club in 1983 and received many awards. Retirement proved to be boring to her and she went to work part-time for several banks at Platteville until her retirement in 2004.

Irma is a past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star of which she has been a member for over 60 years. She served as area supervisor and past mother advisor. Irma was the first Grand Marshal of the First Gilcrest Daze festival and set a high standard for future festivals. She was a member of the Gilcrest Baptist Church.

Irma’s happiest times were times spent with her family especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a member of the greatest generation she lived life with grit and grace and set an example for all.

Irma is survived by her brother Alfred Wendell Jennings; her three children, Kathy Escamilla (Manuel) of Louisville, Lonny Cogburn (Pam) of Greeley, and Jeffrey Cogburn (Shelly) of Gilcrest; seven grandchildren, their spouses; and 16 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Wed. July 7, 2021 from 5-7:00 p.m. at Allnutt Funeral Service, Macy Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Thurs. July 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. also at Allnutt Funeral Service, with interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens immediately following. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital: https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service - Macy Chapel.

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