Irlee Lewis Stagemeyer

Irlee Lewis Stagemeyer, age 79, of Holbrook, Nebraska passed away on July 15, 2016 at the CA Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe, Nebraska. He was born July 10, 1937 to Gustav and Irene (Wendland) Stagemeyer in Gosper County Nebraska on the family farm homesteaded by his grandparents August and Doris Stagemeyer. Irlee was baptized on August 1, 1937 and confirmed on June 4, 1950 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church near Arapahoe Nebraska. Irlee graduated from Holbrook High School in 1954 at the age of 16. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where he was initiated into the Alpha Zeta Honorary Society during his studies in Agricultural Education. He began his teaching career in 1958 as a vocational agriculture instructor at Verdigre High School in Verdigre Nebraska. He was invited and participated in an agricultural education tour of the Soviet Communist Bloc Countries and the Soviet Union. Military Service called Irlee away from his teaching career. He completed his military training at Fort Dix in Burlington New Jersey. He resumed his teaching career at Burwell High School in Burwell Nebraska. On July 21, 1963, Irlee was united in marriage to Rosemary Marie Reid at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe Nebraska. To this union three children were born: Merrill, Brent, and Jeree’. Following Irlee and Rosemary’s wedding, they moved to Ainsworth Nebraska where they were both employed with the Ainsworth Public School system. In 1966, Irlee and Rosemary moved to a farm in Frontier County Nebraska as they decided to pursue a full time career in farming and raising cattle. In 1967 they moved to the Stagemeyer homestead located in Gosper County Nebraska to continue their farming and cattle operation. In 1992 Irlee again combined his love of agriculture with his love of teaching when he began teaching part time as an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor at Arapahoe Public Schools in Arapahoe Nebraska. Over the years Irlee also worked as a part time crop insurance adjuster with Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company. Irlee was a dedicated man of Faith and spent countless hours sharing his love of agriculture with his family and many students. He had a special passion for raising cattle and caring for his herd. Irlee was a strong promoter and advisor for FFA and 4-H. He was a longtime active member of the Nebraska Simmental Association. Irlee was preceded in death by his wife Rosemary, parents Gustav and Irene Stagemeyer, brother Merlin Stagemeyer, sister-in-law Doris Stagemeyer, mother-in-law Thelma Reid, brother-in-law Marion Reid, and grandparents August and Doris Stagemeyer and Wilhelm and Emma Schievelbein. He is survived by his sons; Merrill Stagemeyer and wife Sandra of Cambridge Nebraska, Brent Stagemeyer and wife Carla of Page Nebraska, and daughter Jeree’ Holt and husband Brandon of Kearney Nebraska. Also left to mourn are his eight grandchildren; Joel, Reid, and Jaclyn Stagemeyer of Cambridge Nebraska, Miles, Jace, and Tucker Stagemeyer of Page Nebraska, and Harper and Grady Holt of Kearney Nebraska, sister Marlene Bachmann and husband Gerald of Missoula Montana as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Viewing and visitation will be Wednesday, July 20, 2016 from 10 AM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Chapel, 652 Main St., Arapahoe, Nebraska and prior to the service at the church. Funeral Services will be Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe, NE with Rev. James Moshier, officiating. Interment will be at the St. Matthews Cemetery of Arapahoe, NE. Memorials can be made in remembrance of Irlee Stagemeyer to Trinity Lutheran Church of Arapahoe Nebraska or St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery Fund. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.