IRENE KALMBACH

Irene Hilda Kalmbach, 96, passed away on July 12, 2025, in Carrollton, Texas. Irene was born on December 21, 1928, in Montgomery County, Missouri, to Frederick and Hilda Boeckelman. She grew up on the family farm, was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wellsville, Missouri, and graduated from Wellsville High School. Upon graduation, she worked as a switchboard operator for the local phone company. Irene was a lifelong Lutheran and met a Texan, Marvin Kalmbach, through a Lutheran church pen pal program. Irene and Marvin married in 1951 in Wellsville. After a short time in Missouri, they settled in Marlin, Texas, where Irene became a Licensed Vocational Nurse and worked for many years at Torbert Hospital and later as Dr.

William Pickvance’s office nurse. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Marlin for over 70 years and was active in all aspects of the church. Irene was an avid game player and was always ready for a game of dominoes, rummy, or chicken foot. For the past 3 and a half years, she was a resident of Briarview Senior Living Center in Carrollton, where she taught many residents how to play chicken foot.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, her parents, a brother, Henry Boeckelman, and a sister, Evelyn Weilmuenster. She is survived by her son, Larry Kalmbach, and Deana, her daughter Karen Morrison and Robert, sister Joyce Pilliard, brother Leroy Boeckelman, grandchildren Matthew Kalmbach, Adam Kalmbach, Eric Kalmbach, Ashley Morrison Zubizarreta, and Kimberly Morrison, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 17, at Calvary Cemetery in Marlin with Reverend Kurt Rutz officiating.