Obituary of E. Irene Voelzke

Irene Voelzke, 93, of Coffeyville passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at Windsor Place. She was born on March 15, 1923, in Coffeyville to James Elbert "Red" and Ruby I. (Sage) Sanders. Irene grew up in Coffeyville where she attended Whittier Grade School, graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1940, and Coffeyville Community College in 1942. While attending college she began working as a secretary and bookkeeper at the Blue Tag Mill. On December 24, 1942, she married James Richard "Rich" Voelzke. Following their marriage they made their home in Coffeyville where they raised their family. While raising her family Irene was employed for 20 years as a clerk for Auctioneer Price Currey, and was also a representative for Stanley Home Products. She later worked as bookkeeper for The Coffeyville Journal, Robert Belt and Company, CPA's, and Home Lumber Company before opening her own Accounting and Income Tax Service in 1966,which operated for 43 years retiring in 2009. In 1976 she began serving as Treasurer and Bookkeeper on the Board of Directors for Montgomery County Rural Water District #11. Irene was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and V.F.W. Auxiliary. She was a former member of Rebekah Lodge #258, Coffeyville Women's Business and Professional Club, Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce, and Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Survivors include three sons, Jim Voelzke and wife Claudia, John Voelzke and wife Pat, and Bob Voelzke and wife Vickie all of Coffeyville; one daughter Kay Conley of Coffeyville; ten grandchildren, , and fourteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rich Voelzke in 2002; an infant son, Jack Voelzke; and one sister Wilma Durst. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2016 at the Trinity United Methodist with Rev. David Kim officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville. Friends may call on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Foundation; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS.