Irene H. Rorabaugh

ARMKNECHT, GERHARDT, HOUSEL, IRWIN, JOHNSON, PFISTER, RORABAUGH, WARE

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 5/27/2026 at 09:26:05

Irene H. Rorabaugh, 100, of Independence, Iowa, died Monday, May 11, 2026, at Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence, Iowa.

Irene Hilda Dirksen was born March 14, 1926, in Vesta, Nebraska, to Jerry Cornelius and Marie Elizabeth (Pfister) Dirksen. She attended Tecumseh Schools graduating with the class of 1943. On February 3, 1948, Irene married Eugene Arthur Rorabaugh in Beatrice, Nebraska. She worked at Elgin National Watch Company, Herbergers Fabric Store, and a clothing store in Havelock. Throughout her life, Irene lived in various communities across Nebraska, (Lincoln, Columbus and Rushville) and Minnesota (Spring Lake, Waseca and Fairmont) before moving to Iowa (Iowa Falls, Cedar Falls and Independence). She was known for her love of gardening, fishing, cooking, sewing, playing cards and she cherished time spent with her family and friends.

Irene is survived by her Sister: Lois (Frank) Armknecht of Bozeman, Montana; 3 Children: Butch (Denise) Rorabaugh of Winthrop, Iowa, Sharon (Troy) Gerhardt of Omaha, Nebraska and Jim Rorabaugh of Torrington, Wyoming; 6 Grandchildren: Heather Ware (Ahmad Hassan), Audrey (Jeff) Housel, Joesph (Matt) Rorabaugh-Irwin, Jesse Rorabaugh, Jacki Rorabaugh (Andrew Yee) and Makayla Gerhardt (Kadeem Letts); 5 Great-grandchildren: Oscar, Brinley, Malia, Teegan and Desmond and Many Nieces & Nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson Bryce, brothers: Lloyd, Norman, Kenneth, Edwin, and Dean, and one sister Ione Johnson.

The family will hold services in Lincoln, Nebraska at a later date.

Inurnment: Lincoln Memorial Gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Valley Hospice: 801 1st Street East, Independence, Iowa 50644.

Fawcett-Schmitz Funeral Home in Winthrop is assisting the family.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com