June 10, 2023
June 10, 2023
Irene (Keiper) Alexander was born February 8, 1949 in Sidney, Nebraska, the daughter of Albert James Keiper and Gertrude Ruth (Weare) Keiper. She attended North Ward elementary school and Sidney Junior and Senior High Schools, graduating in 1967. In the years immediately following, Irene was employed at Sidney Memorial Hospital, and at Lincoln General Hospital in Lincoln, NE.
Irene married Curtis Dale Alexander, a Bloomfield, Nebraska native, on October 10, 1970 at the United Methodist Church in Sidney, Nebraska. Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to Bloomfield, Nebraska and spent about a year and half there before Curt took a new job with the local telephone company. They were transferred to Elgin, Nebraska for nearly two years. Shortly after their second child was born in 1974, Creighton, Nebraska became their home. There they became active community members for the next 13 years. Irene was employed in Creighton by the Rug Room, was an avid team bowler, a member of the Jayceette organization and the rover for their slow pitch softball team.
Curt’s employment with Great Plains Communications took the couple to Dodge, Nebraska in 1987. Irene was employed there by Farmers Union Coop, and then Dodge Public Schools, but she left work behind after Curt retired. Curt and Irene then enjoyed traveling for several years, spending winters in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas at Casa Del Valle resort. Each fall they looked forward to reuniting with friends from all over. In the year following her husband's death, Irene moved to Fremont, Nebraska to begin a new phase in her life.
Irene began researching her family roots in 1997 and discovered a love for that type of research. As a result, she met many distant cousins and compiled many family histories for immediate and extended family. As a result of her interest in genealogy, she was eventually intrigued by the advent of DNA for the masses and her life story changed a few years after she submitted hers to Ancestry.com.
She also helped others research their own family histories. Road trips with Irene often went through at least one cemetery so she could grab photos for the Find A Grave website. Irene also loved reading, writing, line dancing, pickleball, good music, game nights, Husker football and volleyball, coin collecting and most of all, following her grandchildren's endeavors.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Curt, and several favorite cousins. She is survived by one daughter, Trisha Woodson (Bill), of Chicago, IL, one son, Douglas Alexander (Susan), of Columbus, NE, four grandchildren; Zachary and Taylor Alexander, Billy and Natalie Woodson; two brothers, Don Keiper (Margaret) of Chadron, NE. and John Bascom (Laverda) of Omaha, NE., nieces, nephews and many close and distant cousins.
Irene chose cremation and there will be no formal services. She has directed placement of her ashes should take place on a beautiful summer or fall day. A bouquet of white daisies and some good 60's music should accompany the occasion. She will be at home with Curt in a small cremation bench in Ridge Cemetery in Fremont, Nebraska. Stop by for a visit!
Irene married Curtis Dale Alexander, a Bloomfield, Nebraska native, on October 10, 1970 at the United Methodist Church in Sidney, Nebraska. Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to Bloomfield, Nebraska and spent about a year and half there before Curt took a new job with the local telephone company. They were transferred to Elgin, Nebraska for nearly two years. Shortly after their second child was born in 1974, Creighton, Nebraska became their home. There they became active community members for the next 13 years. Irene was employed in Creighton by the Rug Room, was an avid team bowler, a member of the Jayceette organization and the rover for their slow pitch softball team.
Curt’s employment with Great Plains Communications took the couple to Dodge, Nebraska in 1987. Irene was employed there by Farmers Union Coop, and then Dodge Public Schools, but she left work behind after Curt retired. Curt and Irene then enjoyed traveling for several years, spending winters in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas at Casa Del Valle resort. Each fall they looked forward to reuniting with friends from all over. In the year following her husband's death, Irene moved to Fremont, Nebraska to begin a new phase in her life.
Irene began researching her family roots in 1997 and discovered a love for that type of research. As a result, she met many distant cousins and compiled many family histories for immediate and extended family. As a result of her interest in genealogy, she was eventually intrigued by the advent of DNA for the masses and her life story changed a few years after she submitted hers to Ancestry.com.
She also helped others research their own family histories. Road trips with Irene often went through at least one cemetery so she could grab photos for the Find A Grave website. Irene also loved reading, writing, line dancing, pickleball, good music, game nights, Husker football and volleyball, coin collecting and most of all, following her grandchildren's endeavors.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Curt, and several favorite cousins. She is survived by one daughter, Trisha Woodson (Bill), of Chicago, IL, one son, Douglas Alexander (Susan), of Columbus, NE, four grandchildren; Zachary and Taylor Alexander, Billy and Natalie Woodson; two brothers, Don Keiper (Margaret) of Chadron, NE. and John Bascom (Laverda) of Omaha, NE., nieces, nephews and many close and distant cousins.
Irene chose cremation and there will be no formal services. She has directed placement of her ashes should take place on a beautiful summer or fall day. A bouquet of white daisies and some good 60's music should accompany the occasion. She will be at home with Curt in a small cremation bench in Ridge Cemetery in Fremont, Nebraska. Stop by for a visit!