OSHKOSH - Irene Gaedke Rodgers, 85, of Oshkosh died Thursday, June 23, 2005, at the Garden County Nursing Home in Oshkosh.

Irene was born Sept. 1, 1919, on the Miller place south of Somerset to William and Theodora Dunton Gaedke. She attended Somerset grade school through the eighth grade. Irene was confirmed into the Lutheran Church in Wellfleet. She worked as a cook for many years in North Platte.

In March 1958, Irene married William Rodgers of Hershey. The couple made their home in Venango. She lived in the Wallace-Dickens area for several years and later moved to Oshkosh. In 2003, she moved to the Garden County Nursing Home in Oshkosh.

Irene loved music and especially enjoyed playing the piano. She was also a long-time member of 4-H clubs.

Survivors include her children, Kimberly and (Brian) Epp of Lisco, Ervin Fessler Jr. of Lincoln, Charlene (Jim) Davidsen of Walden, Colo., Sidney (Holli) Fessler of Omaha and Jerry Tisthammer of Albion; sisters, Freda Chapin of York, Cecil Krepcik of Farnam; sister-in-law, Bobbi Gaedke of North Platte; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Eric Tisthammer and Emery William Rodgers; sisters Maude Haynes and Winnie Gurrican; brothers Carl, Ted, Henry Ford and William F. Jr. Gaedke; and her parents.

A memorial has been established.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. CDT Monday, June 27, 2005, at the Hayes Center Cemetery in Hayes Center with the Rev. Morris Hartman officiating.

Visitation is from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Holechek Funeral Home in Oshkosh.

North Platte Telegraph, 25 June 2005