Irma Elaine Ames Brewer passed from this earthly existence to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on November 12, 2020 at her residence in Concordia, Kansas due to a battle with COVID-19. Irma was born to the union of George Nelson Ames and Ruth Rosamond Bochoven Ames at their home in the Highland area east of Norway, Kansas on June 27, 1931.
Irma attended District 48 country school near that home, along with her siblings, Geraldine, Eileen, Nona, Dean and Ron. Their Ames and Bochoven cousins and other neighborhood children joined them there for an enriching educational experience, given the challenges of making a living from farming during the Dirty 30s and World War II.
Following her Eighth Grade Graduation, Irma attended and received her High School Diploma from Concordia High School in 1949 (her Junior year she went to Haddam High School). While in school in Concordia, she worked several places, including the Western Auto Store. Irma attended Kansas State (then College) for one year, before marrying Dean Decker Brewer on Kansas Day, January 29, 1950.
To their marriage, well-loved children Dana, Diane, JoDee and Sheri were born. Their firstborn Dana, was born after Irma suffered polio during that pregnancy. Most of their childhoods were lived in the Brewer home built by Dean’s grandparents, John and Mary Ellen Brewer, south of Norway. Dean and Irma farmed with Dean’s father, “Joe” Brewer, following several years that Dean taught Junior High age students and served as Principal of Norway Grade School. Irma worked for a number of years as a transportation Aide and CNA at Sunset Nursing Home, Concordia.
Irma was a very practical person and she wanted her children to learn the necessities in life, like knowing Jesus, cooking, sewing and gardening along with the niceties in life, like good manners, appreciating music and serving others.
Irma and Dean served Christ in their churches, Highland Baptist, Norway Evangelical United Brethren, Concordia Baptist and Our Savior’s Lutheran, Norway. She was a wonderful homemaker and always made guests, including their children’s friends, feel welcome. Irma and Dean always lived their lives doing for others.
Irma fought through polio to raise her children and back surgery and cancer to be Grandma B to her beloved grandchildren.
Irma was preceded by her parents, George and Ruth Ames, her husband, Dean Brewer, her siblings, Nina Jean, Geraldine ”Gerry” and husbands Milton Stensaas and Royal Johnson, Eileen and husband, “Lee” Combs, Nona Hedstrom’s husband, Loren and Dean Ames wife, Fern.
She is survived by son, Dana Brewer and wife Tina, Concordia, and their daughter, Marie Brummett and her husband, Garrett, Wichita; daughter Diane Johnson and husband, Rick, Snowflake, AZ; daughter JoDee Rothfuss, husband Mark, Concordia and children Sarah Hauber, husband Joseph and children Dean and Amelia “Millie”, Lenexa; Isaac Rothfuss and wife Samantha, Smithville, MO; and daughter Sheri Johnson, husband Kevin, Concordia and children Joshua Johnson, Overland Park, KS, Ashleigh Johnson, Tulsa, OK and Addison Johnson, Bartlesville, OK; sister, Nona Hedstrom, Concordia and brothers, Dean Ames, Aurora, CO and Ron Ames and wife Marilyn, Brighton, CO.
Because Irma and Dean were survivors of polio and due to the current pandemic, the family will require masks at a private family burial on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at Valley Cemetery, Norway at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor David Redmond officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 17, 2020 from 1-8 pm at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. A Celebration of Irma’s life among us is planned for next summer, around the time of what would have been her 90th birthday. The family would dearly love to greet extended family and friends, but Irma and Dean would not want you to put your safety above their consolation.
Memorials are requested, in lieu of flowers. Irma asked that instead of a floral arrangement for her casket, that money be used “to feed the hungry children of the world”. So, her family intends to share any memorial gifts among the Republic and Cloud County Food Banks and Samaritan’s Purse worldwide ministries. For online condolences and to view a video of the burial service, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.