Irma Jean Wiepen

Irma Jean Wiepen, age 88, of Yankton, South Dakota and formerly of St. Helena, Nebraska, died surrounded by her family on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital Hospice in Yankton after having a stroke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM, on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Holy Family (Immaculate Conception) Catholic Church in St. Helena, NE with Reverend Jim Keiter officiating. Burial will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in St. Helena. Visitation is from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, on Wednesday, November 19 at the church with a vigil service at 6:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton.

Pallbearers are grandsons: Michael Wieseler, Scott Wieseler, Nicholas Peitz, John Peitz, Chris Poole, Don Poole, Jacob Wiepen and Mathew Heimes. Honorary pallbearers are granddaughters: Danielle Thacker, Denise McCaune, Valerie Woodward, Cheryl Norris, Jessica Humphrey, Tristin Miles, Anna Wiepen, Kari Wieseler, Jennifer Kauffman, Samantha Wieseler, Jackie Genzlinger, Dana Huether, Delana Mach and Denae Mach.

Irma was born on July 16, 1937 in Hartington, Nebraska to John and Susan (Kleinschmit) Lauer. She attended country school and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1955. Irma married Francis Wiepen on April 4, 1956 and to this union, they were blessed with six children. Irma was a homemaker, cake decorator and made flowers arrangements for weddings. She worked in housekeeping at Avera Sacred Heart for 28 years from 1983 to 2011 and then worked in Home Health Care for several more years. But most of all, Irma was an amazing mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved working outside and spent many hours creating flower beds, gardening and canning. She also enjoyed square dancing, sewing and monitoring Life360 to check on her children. Irma was a very hard worker and always on the go. She instilled the philosophy in her children of not doing half a job and giving your all when working, especially cleaning. Irma was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church who was strong in her faith and loved the Lord.

Irma is survived by six children: Carol (Dan) Poole of Honey Creek, IA, Nancy (Bruce) Peitz of Fordyce, NE, Kevin (Lisa) Wiepen of Yankton, Janet (Mike) Wieseler of Tyndall, SD, Peggy (Bryce) Mach of Viborg, SD and David Wiepen of Stanton, NE; 22 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; three siblings: Larry (Kathy) Lauer of Hartington, Darlene Schmidt of Hartington and Donna (Steve) Adam of Tabor, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Irma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Francis on December 25, 2017; great granddaughter, Aria Mae Miles; siblings: Lillian (Rudy) Kathol, Rita (Dallas) Leader, Donald (Elsie) Lauer; infant siblings, Frederick and Grace Lauer; and brother-in-law, Robert “Pup” Schmidt.