Irene Ida (Armknecht) Treaster

Irene Ida (Armknecht) Treaster, 97, of Omaha passed away peacefully on August 30, 2024 at the Heritage Pointe Assisted Living-Memory Care in Omaha, Nebraska. She was born August 13, 1927 to Harry and Alma (Wilken) Armknecht on the family farm near Cook, Nebraska. As an infant, Irene was baptized at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Osage. As a teenager, she was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cook, Nebraska.

Irene received her elementary education , Grades 1 – 8, in a one room country schoolhouse. She completed her high school education in Cook, Nebraska. She continued onward with her education. She graduated from Creighton Memorial St. Jospeh Hospital School of Nursing. In 1952, she received her RN diploma.

As a staff nurse in a hospital setting, Irene worked in Colorado, California, and Nebraska. She also served two years of active duty in the US Navy-Nurse Corps at Naval Hospitals in New York and California. Irene remained in the Reserves for 8 more years. Serving in the US Navy was an honor. She received an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Lieutenant. One of her assignments was being the charge nurse in the newborn nursery. She was amazed at how quickly the corpsmen became attached to “their babies.” In fact, they reported for duty earlier than usual just to be with the babies.

After six years of working in a hospital environment, Irene was ready for a career change. Which meant going back to school. This time an enrollment to Commercial Extension School of Commerce and completing a course in secretarial training. 

Irene applied for a job in the US Army Corps of Engineers and was accepted in the Construction Division as a secretary. While working for the Corps of Engineers, Irene met Donald E. Treaster who would become the man she would marry. That wedding took place on August 13, 1972 at Grace Lutheran Church. Cook, Nebraska. Irene continued working until her retirement in 1995.

Irene was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Omaha. She attended Bible Study Classes and the Ladies Evening Guild. As Omaha expanded westward, so did Irene and Don. Irene become a charter member of Saint Michael Lutheran Church in 1981. For many years, she was a greeter and an usher. She attended most of the OWL’s (Older Wiser Lutherans) meetings and Bible Study classes.

Irene had many hobbies. She was a young girl when she became interested in genealogy and learned that her ancestry was German. Traveling was high on the list. She covered 49 states in America, Mexico, Canada, Scandinavian Countries, many European Countries, and a small amount of Russia. Along with traveling, came photography, cooking and baking, gardening flowers and vegetables, sewing, etc.

Even though she was diabetic she loved her sweets, especially chocolate ice cream and milkshakes.

Preceding Irene in death are husband, Donald E. Treaster, parents, Harry and Alma Armknecht, stepmother, Leta Armknecht, brothers, Albert (Arline) Armknecht and Robert (Ruth) Armknecht, nephew, Dennis Armknecht, and niece-in-law Jo Armknecht. 

Irene is survived by sister, Viola Armknecht, Omaha, Nebraska; nieces Barbara ( John) Trout, Omaha, Nebraska, Cheryl (Larry) Grundman, Syracuse, Nebraska, Joyce (Craig) Merck, Lincoln, Nebraska, Bonnie (Mike) Engel, Lincoln, Nebraska, Janice Rader, Cook, Nebraska, Diane (Dave) Smith, Cook, Nebraska. Nephews: David Armknecht, Lincoln, Nebraska, Bruce (Carol) Armknecht, Cook, Nebraska, James (Colleen Williams) Armknecht, Talmage, Nebraska. Niece-in-law Celesta Armknecht, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Visitation: Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. at John Gentleman, Pacific St. Chapel, 14151 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE. 

Funeral: September 4th, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 13223 Blondo Street, Omaha, NE. 

Interment: Grace Lutheran Church Cemetery, Cook, Nebraska. 

Memorials are suggested to Table Grace Ministries.