Jerre Beattie-Ihrcke

Jerre Beattie-Ihrcke, 95, of Baldwin City, KS passed away April 23, 2023 at Vintage Park, Baldwin City, KS.

Jerre was born January 15, 1928 in Grand Island, NE, the daughter of Maynard Roy Gilbert and Elaine (Schroeder) Gilbert.  She grew up in Grand Island area and graduated from Grand Island High School with the class of 1946. She attended Colorado Women’s College in Fort Collins.  While there she met John E. Sigvaldson.  They were married Feb. 25, 1949.  They lived in Denver, raising their new family until their divorce in 1961.  A few years later, in September 1964, she drove herself, three small kids and a dog all the way to Eagle River, AK.  While in Alaska, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Alaska Methodist University, Anchorage, AK.  

After living briefly in Alaska, Jerre, again single, moved back to Grand Island and became a third grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary, Grand Island.   In the late 1960’s she earned a Masters in Education Administration from Kearney State University, Kearney, NE.  She then became Principal at Newell Elementary in Grand Island until her retirement in 1978.  She retired early to marry Victor Beattie of Kalamazoo, MI. She loved her new role of Grandma.  They had only about four years together as Vic died on February 14, 1982.

Staying in Kalamazoo, she threw herself into various social groups.   She was a committed member and President of Kalamazoo Garden Club.  One of her favorite aspects of the Garden Club was becoming a Flower Arrangement Judge.  She even went on to teach other members how to judge arrangements, something she loved as her educator roots were always evident.  She was a member of the Animals Best Friends and the Red Hat Lady group as well. Jerre was also a lifelong member of the National Education Association.  And, she began to travel with friends and her mother, seeing six continents and scores of countries.  Still the teacher, she made fascinating photo albums and wrote detailed travelogues.  Eventually, a friend introduced her to Raymond Ihrcke, and after a couple of years of courtship they were married on June 2, 1990.  Jerre and Ray continued to travel, taking many cruises together over the next 25 years.  She and Ray also enjoyed their Super Supper Club dinners and card games with friends, “babysitting” their friends’ pets, and staying involved as committed parishioners of Portage United Church of Christ.

When Ray passed away on August 12, 2019, Jerre moved to Baldwin City and the Vintage Park community.  She loved the people she met at Vintage Park.  She developed many friendships and was very happy there.  When she passed her son, Tom, his wife and three girls were all by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Scott Sigvaldson; and two husbands, Vic Beattie and Ray Ihrcke.

Jerre is survived by her son, Thomas (Kathleen) Sigvaldson, Baldwin City, KS; daughter, Kristi Buchanan, West Palm Beach, FL; step children Robert (Dodie) Beattie, Steve (Kathy) Ihrcke, Julie Ihrcke, and Susie (Matt) Berry granddaughters, Katherine Sigvaldson Blochlinger, Hannah Sigvaldson, Elizabeth Sigvaldson;  three grandsons,  Jason Blayney, Daniel Blayney, Douglas Blayney; step grandchildren Adam Beattie, Megan Beattie Williams, Lisa Ihrcke Safranek, Sarah Ihrcke Olsen, Laura Ihrcke Wollersheim, Alyssa Berry Svec, Zachary Berry, and numerous great grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

Memorial funeral services will be on dates to be determined at Vintage Park, Baldwin City, KS and in Kalamazoo MI.  The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Animals Best Friends (animalsbestfriends.org) sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006.  Condolences may be sent to the family through http://www.lamb-roberts.com.

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