Wieneke, Imogene Hyacinth (Beckmann)

Imogene Hyacinth (Beckmann) Wieneke, formerly of Dyersville, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, in Issaquah, Wash., after a brief illness. She was living with her son, James and his family at the time of her death.

Imogene was born on Dec. 19, 1920, on a farm northeast of Dyersville, Iowa. She was the youngest child of Joseph and Antoinette (Tegeler) Beckmann. At age five, her family sold the farm and moved to Dyersville where she attended the St. Francis Xavier schools. After graduation from the Waterloo School of Beauty Culture in 1940, she worked as a beautician for many years.

On Tuesday, May 3, 1943, at 7 a.m., in St. Francis Xavier Church in Dyersville, she married Charles Wieneke. Their honeymoon was brief, as Charles was on leave from the Army. Imogene followed Charles to Camp Crowder, Mo., and Miami, Fla., where she worked as a beautician. After World War II, they settled in Dyersville. In 1959, Charles' work caused them to move to Rockford, Ill., where they lived for almost 40 years, before moving back to Dyersville.

Imogene was a very compassionate person who helped care for family members at various times throughout their lives. She also volunteered at Rockford Memorial Hospital. She loved dancing, bowling and an occasional card game.

One of her simple pleasures later in life, which she enjoyed almost daily, was a latte with caramel flavoring and whipped cream.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Charles on June 13, 2008. Also preceding her were brothers, Joe Beckmann and Al Beckmann; sisters, Hilda Beckmann, Agatha Barry and Reinilda Beckmann; half-brothers, Hubert Beckmann and Ray Beckmann; and half-sisters, Bertha Oberbroeckling and Eleanor Nadermann.

Imogene is survived by her three children, Trudy (William) Schade of Colorado, John (Virginia) of California, and James (Nancy) of Washington.

She is also survived by four grandsons, Christopher Schade, Gregory Schade, Benjamin Wieneke and Thomas Wieneke; and two great-grandchildren: Deven Schade and Eliot Schade.

Complete arrangements will be made by Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, at a later date.