She was born in Russell, Kansas, to Johannas Peter and Katherine Elizabeth (Ehrlich) Herdt on April 14, 1919. Irene worked at several different jobs throughout her life including a Laundry Service in the city of Russell, as a waitress at Tower Cafe in Russell, KS and she did retail sales in Kimball, NE, where she was the bookkeeper for her husband’s business. Irene also worked as a bookkeeper at Mills Machine in Shawnee, OK before retirement. She was also a homemaker and loved to go fishing. She loved listening to polka music, dancing, and crocheting for her family and friends. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Russell, Kansas. She was also an Auxillary member of the VFW Post 6340 and American Legion Post 0099 of Russell, Kansas.
She is preceded in death by her parents; three husbands: Alexander Riffel of Russell, KS, Albert Zinn of Shawnee, OK and Harold Bender of Russell, KS; sisters: Helen Berry of Salem, IL, Rosa Bender of Wichita, KS and Clara Mills of Shawnee, OK; three Brothers, Sigmund Herdt of Kimball, NB, Leo Herdt of Russell, KS, and Paul Herdt of Gardendale, TX; stepdaughter, Carol Hummel and her husband Jim; and stepson, Richard Zinn and his wife.
Irene is survived by her daughter, Barbara Jean Riffel of Oklahoma City, OK; stepson, Rick Bender and his wife and family of Topeka, KS; two step granddaughters, Julia Moss and Jean Worden; step grandson, Jimmy Hummel; granddaughter Rebecca Jean; great grandchildren, Caleb Alexander and Lawrence Gene; and numerous relatives, nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Integris Hospice house of Oklahoma City, OK, America Heart Org, Cancer Research or donate to an organization of your choice. Memorial service will be held at a later date. Services have been entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home. Please visit our online guestbook at www.resthavenfh.com.
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