Irene Flohr Barels

Irene Barels, age 94, of Indianapolis, Indiana formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa died Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Inurnment will follow in the Storm Lake Cemetery with Military Rites by the Storm Lake AMVETS Post #66. Visitation will take place from 12:00 p.m. until the beginning of the service at the funeral home. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Irene was born June 28, 1920, in Flagler, Colorado, the daughter of Menno and Cora (Rogge) Bentzinger. In 1923, her family moved to a farm near Deweese, Nebraska. In 1936, the family moved to a farm near Hickman, Nebraska, where Irene graduated from the Roca High School, and went on to Peru State Teacher’s College where she completed her Associate’s degree. As with many of Irene’s friends and classmates, WWII changed her life. She taught one year in the Honeycreek Consolidated School in Salem, Nebraska and spent two years working in the Glenn L. Martin Bomber Plant in Omaha, Nebraska before joining the Navy WAVES. Irene served from April 1944 to July 1946 and was stationed in San Francisco, Fleet Post Office. She was honorably discharged after serving two years and three months. As a child, Irene enjoyed the family photographs, so attending Kansas City School of Photography for two years, helped her to enjoy a life-long “hobby”. June 20, 1951, Irene was united in marriage to Ray J. Flohr of Storm Lake, Iowa. Ray passed away January 15, 1977. On November 12, 1977, Irene married Dr. Robert F. Barels who had been a high school classmate of Rays. After Dr. Barels retired from his fifty-one year dental practice in Carroll, Bob and Irene moved to the Kimberling City, Missouri area. They were active members of the Kimberling City Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 5-3, for twenty-six years. Irene was a member of the United Methodist Church of Kimberling City; Life member of WAVES National and American Legion Post #79, Zionsville, Indiana. In July 2007, Bob and Irene moved part-time to Indiana to be closer to Irene’s son Ray and his family, along with Bob’s daughter, Becky and her family, while still keeping their home in the Ozarks. Irene is survived by her son, Ray (Anna) Flohr; grandchildren, Brian Flohr and Sarah Flohr, step-daughters: Becky Drahovzal, Penny Wade, and their families; many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, as well as the many wonderful friends she had met over her long and interesting years on this beautiful earth. Irene is preceded in death by her husband, Ray; and their son Robert; husband, Bob (Dr. Barels); two brothers, Rollie (Dot) Bentzinger and Arnold (Neva) Bentzinger; and sister, Ruth (Loren) Imes.

Irene Flohr Barels

June 28, 1920 - August 20, 2014