Irma Bess Handrich

Irma Bess Handrich was born March 12, 1914 in Calvin, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Derias Alvin and Bonnie Ownsbey. Irma was raised and attended school in Calvin.

Upon completion of her education, Irma began a career in food service, working and cooking in restaurants and cafes. While working in a cafÈ in Savannah, Irma met and then later married Alfred Handrich on October 17, 1942 in Sedalia, Missouri. The couple made their initial home in Stringtown, Oklahoma and then moved to Osage, Oklahoma. During their marriage, both Irma and Alfred were employed by the Katy Railroad as Alfred was foreman of a repair gang and Irma cooked for the gang on a railcar. They later located to West Point, Texas where they continued to work for the railroad. Alfred preceded her in death on January 29, 1979.

Shortly after the death of her husband, Irma returned to Osage. Irma was an active member of the Osage Senior Citizens and could often be found preparing dinners at the center. She loved to cook and owned an extensive collection of cookbooks. She was baptized in the Methodist Church as a youth but attended the Baptist Church during most of her adult life. Additionally, Irma enjoyed talking on the telephone. After the loss of her eyesight, she continued to find pleasure in talking on the phone and listening to the radio.

Irma passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home at the age of eighty-eight years, seven months and eleven days.

In addition to her husband, Irma was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Darlene Kennedy, Ina Prine and Tommie Odneal; and two brothers, Tuffy and Fuzzy Ownsbey. She is survived by her son and his wife, Derias and Carol Johnson, Osage, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Rhonda Mooney, Cleveland, Oklahoma and Alvin Johnson, Osage, Oklahoma; two great grandchildren, Jason Cavin, Cleveland, Oklahoma and Jolene Mooney; four great great grandchildren, Bailey Cavin, Cleveland, Oklahoma Jayce Cavin, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Bryce Cavin, Cleveland, Oklahoma and Darius Mooney, Osage, Oklahoma; a brother, Beaty Ownsbey, Edwards, Missouri; and a sister, Eva Sumter, Wellington, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 26, 2002 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Richard Toothman officiating. Burial will be at the Osage Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Irma Bess Handrich at www.chapman-black.com.''