Irma Lee Wenger was born on September 9, 1924 to Pearl Mae (Means) and Brantley De Lon Evans at her maternal grandparents’ home in Brush, Colorado. Irma Lee’s father worked for the telephone company and moved frequently.
Irma Lee lived in Englewood, Colorado, until she was 7 years old when they moved to Colorado Springs. While in Colorado Springs, she attended Garfield and Columbia Elementary Schools, North Junior High School and Colorado Springs High School where she graduated in 1942.
Irma Lee attended Calvary Evangelical Church and it was here that Irma Lee met and fell in love with Dwight Wenger. Their courtship often revolved around church activities and outings to the Garden of the Gods where Dwight would ride Irma Lee on the handlebars of his bike since he didn’t have a car.
Irma Lee and Dwight were married on August 17, 1943, at Calvary Evangelical Church. One month after they married, they moved to Seattle, Washington, to work for Boeing.
Irma Lee worked as an operator at the Telephone Company during high school. Upon graduation she continued to work there until she and Dwight moved to Seattle. In Seattle, she worked for Boeing as a mechanic on the final assembly of B-17’s. Upon their return to Colorado Springs in 1945, she managed apartment buildings, worked at Walter Drake, Current and a greenhouse where they grew carnations. But she felt the job she was called to do was with the El Paso County Social Services as a homemaker where she helped many elderly people to be able to stay in their homes.
Irma Lee was preceded in death by Dwight, her husband of 73 years. She is survived by a sister, Annadene Blomquist, her daughter, Carol Royse (Robert), and sons Robert (Glenda) and Richard (Lois), six grandchildren: Alayna Jimenez (Carlos), Robert Royse (Kori), Danielle Smeltzer (William), Jason Wenger (Ronda), Sandy Johnson (Nathan), & Brian Wenger. She also has four great grandchildren—Dexter, Sydney, Ashlyn & Taylor.
Irma Lee was a strong yet gentile woman, a true inspiration to everyone who knew her. She loved her family deeply and gave sacrificially to them. She was a wonderful, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a fine model of a gracious Christian woman. She will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life is planned for 11:00 am on June 13, 2018, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 4210 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs. Burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs. Memorial Gifts to Calvary UMC are welcomed in lieu of flowers.
