Irene R. Burbach

Irene Rose (Kalkowski) Burbach, age 91 of Wynot, Nebraska passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at the Waterford at Wilderness Hills Memory Care in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, February 25, 2019 at 10:30 am at Holy Family (Sacred Heart) Catholic Church in Wynot, NE with the Reverend Eric Olsen officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart cemetery in Wynot. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 3:00 – 6:00 pm with a Vigil Service at 5:00 pm. Visitation will continue on Monday one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington, NE. To send online condolences, or to view the video tribute, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com. Pallbearers will be Jesse Burbach, Chris Burbach, Vince Burbach, Alex Heimes, Nathan Heimes and Chuck Burbach. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Irene was born on April 3, 1927 to Albin and Rose (Sedivy) Kalkowski in Lynch, Nebraska where she graduated from Lynch High School in 1944, attended 4-H meetings and grew to dislike milking cows. In 1946, she moved to Wynot, Nebraska with a two-year teaching certificate from Wayne State Teacher’s College and it was there that she met Cyril Burbach while volunteering at a Wynot High School Banquet. They were married August 23, 1948, in Lynch, Nebraska. Irene retired after a teaching career spanning over 40 years. After Irene and Cyril’s marriage, they moved to the farm where she would live her entire life. They made their home two miles north of Wynot on a small farm where they impressed upon their six children two heart-felt priorities: a strong faith and a good education. The lessons of hard work were taught early and often. Cyril and Irene were both lifelong members of the Wynot community, where they raised their family. They enjoyed square dancing and boisterous conversations with family and friends around the kitchen table. In 1951, their first son, Larry, was born, followed by Steve in 1955, Richard in 1957, Barbara in 1962, Lisa in 1965, and Rob in 1967. Irene served her community as a teacher in Wynot Public Schools for over 40 years and was an active member of the Catholic Church. Irene’s commitment to honor her family and her community in every way she could continued throughout her life. After her husband’s death in 1980, Irene persisted as a foundation of support for her family throughout life’s challenges. She provided a loving home for her children and grandchildren. Irene overcame personal loss and hardship in her life with the strength of her faith and her love for her family. Her faith in God never faltered, and she believed that “life becomes a means of handling all the challenges the Lord sends us.” She handled each challenge with determination, obligation, and a faith in a higher power. Whenever possible, Irene could be found cooking, working outside, reading, traveling and occasionally card playing. Irene lived her faith and was an active member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society, an EME (extraordinary minister of the Eucharist), member of the National Council of Catholic Women and the American Legion Auxiliary Post. She also taught religious education and confirmation classes for many years and helped spearhead fundraising efforts to build the Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Irene moved to Lincoln in 2015 to the Waterford Memory Care Center. The staff remember and love Irene as someone who persisted in her efforts to care for others with a smile on her face throughout the duration of her stay. She was a beloved resident to all. Irene is survived by her sons, Larry (Ruth) Burbach of Lincoln, NE, Steve (Rhonda) Burbach of Lincoln, NE, Richard (Tammy) Burbach of Wynot, NE, and Rob (Karen) Burbach of Omaha, NE; her daughter Lisa (Terry) Heimes of Lincoln, NE; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister Marian Jo Barta of Norfolk, NE; and sister-in-law Kay Lynn Kalkowski of Lincoln, NE. Irene was preceded in death by her husband Cyril on August 9, 1980 at the age of 59; sister, Frances Mauree Schochenmaier, brother, Lawrence Kalkowski, and daughter, Barbara Burbach. The family extends a special thank you to the Waterford Memory Care Center caregivers who provided wonderful care and support for our beloved mother.