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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Irba Bacon
IRBA BACON
Cedar Rapids
Irba Geraldine (Zimmerman) Bacon went to be with the Lord on Nov. 25, 2018, at the age of 101. She will be fondly remembered for her love of people and the countless lives she touched over the course of her long life.
She was born Oct. 6, 1917, on a farm near Lineville, Iowa, to William and Mollie Zimmerman, the youngest of five children. She graduated from Clio High School in 1934, Felt and Tarrant Comptometer School in Des Moines and the Cedar Rapids Business College in 1948. She later worked for American Mutual Life Insurance in Des Moines and Northwestern Mutual in Cedar Rapids.
While stationed in Washington, D.C., from 1943 to 1946, she served faithfully in World War II in the WAVES and was married to Donald Bacon in Des Moines on Oct. 20, 1946.
Irba was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Anna Abigail Circle of UMW, Cedar Rapids Women's Club, past matron of Malta Chapter 415 Order of Eastern Star, White Shrine 1 and past grand representative of the Iowa Hawkeye Libra of Grand Chapter OES. She also was a charter member of the Wayne County Historical Museum and volunteered for many different local groups and organizations.
Irba enjoyed bus trips and going to baseball, football and basketball games, along with theater and concerts. She was interested in and enjoyed her nieces and nephews, along with all the children in the neighborhood, where she was known as the "Mayor of O Avenue" for over 50 years. Irba was famous for sending thousands of cards to shut-ins, relatives and others, and her gift of encouragement was a blessing to many.
She was preceded in death by her husband parents, three sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews, many dear friends and all of her "adopted" grandchildren.
Visitation is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Cedar Memorial, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be given in memory of Irba to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Camp Courageous, Eastern Iowa Fellowship of Christian Athletes or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.
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