Dear Alma,
 I just cannot believe that I can no longer hear your sweet words. Some of my best memories with you are calling to be shared.

Alma was the 5th child of Edwin and La Verne Grass Kirn and from day one she was filled with love. She was smart, understanding, funny, beautiful inside and out, a great friend to those she knew, and had great compassion for all those she came in contact. Her decisions were thought out and her reactions mirrored the process. She worked hard, giving 35 years to the State of Illinois, raised and educated a wonderful family with her husband Grover. They had 3 children, Blake, Grant and Laura whom she cherished above all things. 

She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed all kinds of good food. On one visit to California we decided that we would eat out every evening at a different ethnic restaurant. It was always fun and always an adventure. Not being the same caliber cook as Alma, I would often phone her for her recipes and she would walk me through step by step. I never mastered our moms dressing until Alma told me to turn it only once while it was baking so as not to lose the moisture. "It had to be turned" I replied and the laughter from her side of the phone was deafening.

Alma had a master grade scrabble vocabulary and was a first class reader and speller. Her written and spoken grammar was impeccable. Her pronunciation spot on. Every summer growing up she read more books than our whole family put together. She always came home from the library with her arms filled with books and she would devour them one by one.  She finished them in a week or less and returned to the library for another arm full. She had more completed "book worms" than any one I knew. It was never a contest she just loved to read. Never a stranger to libraries she continued her reading throughout her adult years. Her favorite were non fiction books.  She loved to read so much that she started a library for her granddaughter Audrina who she was blessed to have spoiled if only for a few short years. She loved languages, majored in Spanish and traveled to Mexico to hone her skills. 

Alma loved classic country music and loved to dance. This was a gift to us from our mom and dad who went dancing every Saturday night and took us with them. She loved skirts that twirled. To this day I can still see her trying on a skirt or dress and twirling around in the dressing room or in the living room. " This is a twirler" she would say. A music lover from early on she played saxaphone in St. Vincent's School Band and never missed a beat when marching or doing field formations.

Alms was a life long member of the National Organization for Women and belived strongly and worked diigently for equal rights for all. Thankfully she was able to wittness some of the strides that were made and worried that some might be lost if  they were taken for granted and relegated to the back ground. 
 
Alma had many wonderful neighbors, high school and college friends who she never forgot and they remained her core set of friends throughout her life. She never took her friendships lightly and always had the greatest respect for those she called friends. 

As Alma was seeing the end of her time on earth pass she asked, do you think I have lived a good enough life to go to heaven? And it was answered, Alma if you don't get into heaven, then there is no heaven.

So dear sister, wonderful godmother to Stephanie, best buddy to Michael, (Norm), and beautiful sister-in-law to Carlos, I will miss your sweet smile, infectious laugh and your unconditional love.

I know you are already in heaven. Please give mom, dad, Margie and grandma a big kiss and hug. Save a place for me. Most of all " Don"t drink my coffee."

Dear Grover & family,

I will surely miss Alma!  She was such a special person.  We were friends for years, but rarely saw each other.  Thank you Grover for sharing with me and Edna on our last visit with you in November 2011, how you were caring for Alma. 
We know she was loved! Children continue to cherish the memory of your Mother!

Sincerely,
Mary Dixon Nunn

Oh Alma you will be missed!  Thanks for all the great memories... growing up on the weekends with you and your family.  You guys were always a lot of fun!  And your laugh is forever ingrained in my memory.  I too hope your eating Grandma's homemade pie somewhere on a big ol' porch swing!  Much love to you and yours.

Dear sweet Alma-loving,kind and generous all rolled up into your whole being.what shall we do without you!You were the best daughter,wife,mother and sister.My grandchildren find it hard to believe we never fought growing up...but its true!What I do know for sure is that having you for my sister is simply one of the best things in my life.I treasure all the times we had together.See you later.

Grover please accept my condolences upon the loss of your wife Alma. She was a friend from work. We were not close but used to talk often about family and children. Of course I know they are grown and on their own but I just wanted to let you know how sorry I was to hear of her passing. I did not know your mailing address but I made a donation to the American Cancer Society in her memory. 
Again I am so sorry to hear of Alma's passing.
Harriet Josephson
ahjosephson@gmail.com
.

Love and peace to dear Alma's family from another Kellogg Hall friend.....she led the way for us with her humor, intelligence and independence.  A shining light has gone out.

Alma was a good neighbor who was proud of her family.  She will be missed.

My heart goes out to the Webb and Kirn families on your loss of a vibrant lady with an infectious smile and laughter.  Time will help ease your loss, but the cherished memories will remain forever.

I wish I had had the chance to know Alma better - I really liked her: her sense of humor, her knowledge of plants (as well as her LACK of knowledge of orchids), her caring ways, her courtesy to my mother will never be forgotten.  I know she's free of her pain, but the rest of us are left with an irreplaceable loss.  I'm privileged to have known you, Alma.

Dearest Webb Family,
Alma was a dear friend and a great neighbor. We cherished your friendship and loved seeing the children as they grew into beautiful young adults. We are praying for your family that you should have peace at this difficult time. 
Sincerely, 
The Lappen Family

Alma and I were childhood friends.  I have so many wonderful memories of this fun, accepting woman.  She taught me how to climb down an old TV antenae sneaking out to roam the streets of our small town.  Our paths didn't cross much after highschool.  Yet everytime I saw Alma at our church picnic or reunions, she was such a delight to talk and laugh with about old times, our children, and current issues. Alma recently spend the night at my house after a highschool reunion.  We had such a wonderful evening talking about our lives.  She was so delighted with the arrival of her new granddaughter. I will cherish that evening together.  She was interesting, informed, empathetic and I gained greatly from our contact with eachother.  I will miss you, Alma.  I'm happy that you are at peace.  My thoughts and prayers are with her loving family.
Sue Hagan Busse

So sorry to learn of Alma's passing. Our deepest sympathies go out to her husband, Grover, her children and her sisters and brother, Nina, Linda and Nelson.

Grover & Family,
We extend to you and your family our sincere sympathy in the lost of your loved one. May your memories keep you uplifted as you go through this journey.

Our sympathies and heartfelt condolences to your family.

TO MY UNCLE GROVER AND MY COUSINS. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME AND TELL YOU THAT YOUR LOVE ONE IS HOME WITH HER FATHER. K YOUR FAITH AND HE WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THIS. R.I.P. AUNT ALMA YOU WILL BE MISSED BY MANY.

Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  Know that God is there to comfort you - Alma is no longer in pain, she's dancing with the angels! I'm sure she will be missed by many.

Grover, Blake, Grant and Laura - My hopes for you are to begin your journey of healing from the loss of your loved one Alma. 

Grover, as I watched your children grow under your and Alma's guidance and teaching, the amount of spirit and understanding they received from both of you shows greatly in them. Your children have been blessed all these many years with loving parents.

I am happy to be able to say that the Webb's have always been good freinds and once a neighbor to share my life's stories. I wish you peace.

Tim Call

To the Webb & Kim family,
Today is a day of mourn &  celebrating, for we mourn that our love one is no longer with us,we celebrate our love one receiving the gteatest reward. So we pray that your memories are as vivid as LIFE it self. Just remember to mourn for a little while and celebrate even longer. God has just received His angel.

We will cherish those memories of Alma providing us with many nights of laughter in dear ole Kellogg Hall in our SIU days.  My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very sad time.

To Grover and kids I'm so sorry for your loss. Sonny and I have many memories of Alm she was a good friend and we will miss her. We loved her smile and she always seemed to have one, and her laughter.

My thoughts and prayers are with Alma's entire family. The Kirns, my cousins, entered my life in 1971 thru my genealogy. A wonderful family. Sympathy particularly to Grover and the children.  Love to everyone.  Pat Webber, Nashville, TN

Dear Grover and Kiddos,  Alma and I were roommates at SIU.  She was always the most independent person I knew.  I will remember her as an inspiration.  Karen Klaus Sanders, Tampa, FL

To Grover and Kiddos,  Alma and I were roommates in college.  She was always the strongest person I knew, fiercely independent.  I know you will miss her.  I would be happy to visit with you on line or otherwise.  Karen Klaus Sanders

My deepest condolences to Grover and Alma's children.  The Kirn family was my second family and She opened there home to me when I was and my best best friend growing up, Brent Kirn son of Nelson.  May she rest in peace, my deepest sympathy.  Rick Bodenschatz and family.

I had very good times with Alma, we could always find something to laugh about.  I missed her smile and sense of humor when she retired.  Darlene Heuring

Dear Alma - I remember so fondly our early days at SSI and the time you lived with me on 7th Street.  Such great laughs we had and deep discussions of life. My love to you, Alma, and my sympathies to your family.

I have great memories from my childhood and adulthood of you in my life. I can still hear your laugh and picture your manorisms that were uniquely yours. My only hope is that you are swinging with grandma and grandpa in the back yard, having coffee and homemade pie. You are already missed, love you.

To Grover and family: May God be with you in this time of sadness. Remember your love one would want you to rejoice and celebrate her life at this time. Know that she will always be with you in spirit.
Marian Lewis-Robinson
Carson, California
Classmate of Grover


I met Alma at DDS where we both worked. She was a very graceful lady and we had great conversations. She had a keen knowledge of what was around the world. I will miss seeing her as she was so caring and involved in many causes and gave me the gift of her friendship. God bless her and keep her by His side.

I have always respected and admired Alma, when I was working as an Adjudicator on Alzina Building.  She was always pleasant and always had a smile on her face.  God be with her until I meet her again, because I believe life is forever.  My sympathy to her family and friends.
Sincerely, Nadia Vargas

My deepest condolences and best wishes are with you.

As a cousin only a couple of years older than Alma, I remember always thinking how beautiful and self-confident she was.  I am most proud of the person whe became and grieve with her family.

My Prayers Are With You!

Respectfully,

Judy Gordon

Dear Grover and Children,
Please accept my sincere sympathy.  I worked with Alma at DDS.  What a wonderful, beautiful woman.  She was a hard worker, and was loved by all who worked with her.  Laughter, joy and presence, were the gifts she gave to all who new her.  She will be missed by all of those near and dear to her.  God's Peace be with all of you. Sincerely and lovingly, Casey Hagerman

"Memories of those we Love live forever in our Hearts", May you find Comfort in Remembering Her...Our Thoughts are with you all, David New, Toby Walsh and kids.

 Words cannot express my grief.  I worked with Alma at DDS, and was also active in the women's issues too.  She was so much fun to be around and we had many good times.  She will be missed and loved by all.

Alma has been a dear friend most of my life.  We shared many band experiences in grade & high school.  We also  both went to SIU.  Alma was always a lot of fun to be with and a very caring good friend.  She will be truly missed .  Love you Alma.
 Tom & Margie Brown

My dear aunt. I will forever love. This is not good by. It is until next time. I love Alma.

Such wonderful memories I have of Alma during those years at SIU Kellogg Hall.  She was friendly, spontaneous, funny, serious, and so lovable.   I was blessed to have had her friendship.  My sincere condolences to all of her family and friends.

Dear family of wonderful Alma - 

I am so sorry she's gone, but so grateful she's out of pain.

What a wonderful woman she was - and I didn't even know her very well - just brief walks or conversations when she was in Long Beach visiting Nina, my  best friend and next-door neighbor. Alma was funny, compassionate, delightfully wicked and incredibly smart and kind. 

I know you all have far richer memories of her than I do, but even the brief times I spent with her left me loving her and wishing to know her better.

Peace and love to all of you - Robin Hinch.

My condolences to the Webb family. Alma you will be truly missed.

Our deepist sympathies go out to you and your family. Bob and Vickee Huff

So many memories from SIU Kellogg Hall.  My deepest sympathies to Alma's family who is suffering the loss of a very special person.

A light has gone out of our lives.  Alma was one of the most loving, accepting, joyful people I know.  We loved each other - our little SIU group - so much that picking up after 20 + years felt like we hadn't skipped a beat. I miss you, my dear friend.

Alma was a beautiful, strong woman who touched everyone with her humanity.  I can see her smiling and hear her laughing now. She loved her family so very much.  She was a wonderful friend in every sense of the word.
Vaya con Dios, dearest Alma.

Alma was a high school class mate of mine, St. Vincent HS, class of 1966.  We didn't have much contact through the years, with the exception of class reunions and SV homecomings.  We did in fact get together for a girl friend weekend last year in April, along with other girl friends in our class.  I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend that time with Alma, she was just a delight to be with, so caring and so interested in things that were going on with the rest of us. Rest in peace, dear friend, you will be deeply missed by all of us.
Susan (Gagnepain) Vogt, St. Louis, Mo.

Alma, or Elmer, as her Kellogg roommates affectionately called her was, and still is larger than life.  She was our pathfinder through the leftover sexism of the 60's, the sexual revolution that ensued and the racism that she dealt with in her relationship with her beloved Grover.  She was one brave "dame" and I use that term reverently.  She left her mark and we will miss her hearty laugh at our reunions.

Alma has been a friend for almost 45 years.  The friendship started in Kellogg Hall at SIU.  We became roommates my senior year in an old house off campus.  I am so glad we were able to get together several times in the last five years...a weekend at Alma and Grover's house, a trip to my house, a winery in Southern Illinois, a weekend at Linda and Ted's house in Edwardsville.  Alma was a wonderful friend, and she will be dearly missed!!  Rest in peace, dear roommate!!

OBITUARY

Alma Jean Kirn

November 15, 1947 – February 10, 2012

Bisch Funeral Home

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