Irma Lorene Grundman, daughter of Herman and Mabel (Clark) Badberg, was born on February 13, 1919 at her grandmother’s farm house southwest of Talmage, Nebraska.  Her family lived on a farm one-half mile north of Grant School until she was 12, and then moved to a farm one mile south of that school.  After grade school, Irma attended Talmage High School where she graduated as the valedictorian of the class of 1937 and then taught five years in rural schools.  In the fall of 1939, Irma had her first date with Vernon Grundman, going with two other couples to the State Fair.  Irma maintained correspondence with Vernon while he served in the navy during the war.  Vernon was discharged on November 11, 1945 and on the 29th of that month he and Irma were married at the home of her parents.  Although confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Irma joined Vernon’s church in Talmage and remained a member for the rest of her life.

Irma’s first child was still-born, but she then bore five others whom she raised with great love and devotion.  She was a very busy housewife, raising and canning produce and butchering chickens not only for the countless meals of her family of seven, but also for the hired hands who helped Vernon with the farming operation.  Irma enjoyed hosting and attending family birthday parties and other family and community events.  She played thousands of games of pinochle, including playing in two pinochle clubs for over fifty years.  Irma and Vernon lived in the same farm house from 1949 until 2010.  In mid-2010 first Vernon, and then Irma, moved to the Ambassador in Nebraska City because of mobility issues. 

Irma used only assisted living services until April 2, 2018 at which time she was moved to skilled care. It was there that on May 12, 2018, she passed away having reached the age of ninety-nine years, two months, and twenty-nine days.  Of her close family, Irma was the last of her generation to pass away.  In addition to her still-born son and her son Tom who died in a drowning accident in 1974, she was preceded in death by her parents, husband of over 66 years Vernon, siblings Leola, Gaylord and Merlyn (Viola) Badberg, brothers-in-law Norbert (Edna) and Ralph (Ruby) Grundman.

Irma is survived by her loving children: Bill Grundman and wife Kathy of Nebraska City, NE; Kay Grundman of Tecumseh, NE; Janice Cole and husband Bob of Ocala, FL; Jim Grundman and wife Laura of Talmage, NE; 5 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.   

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at the Zion United Church of Christ, 302 Carol Street, in Talmage, Nebraska with Pastor Terry Weible officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at The Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn, Nebraska.  Family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. at the mortuary.

Interment will be at the Fairview Cemetery in rural Talmage.

Memorials contributions are suggested to the Zion United Church of Christ or Fairview Cemetery.

Condolences can be shared online at www.hallfuneral.net.

Hall Funeral Chapel- 707 15th ST.- Auburn, Nebraska 68305 (402) 274-3131