Mrs. Irene Jewell Gerke Kordsmeier

Irene Jewell Gerke Kordsmeier, age 95, of Morrilton, Arkansas, passed away on Monday, April 3, 2023. She was born September 1, 1927, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the daughter of William Gerke and Rosalia Moll Gerke. Irene was known by her middle name Jewell during her early years. She graduated as salutatorian from Mount St Mary Academy in 1945. She then did clerical work for several years for the state of Arkansas. During this time, she waited for two years for her fiancé, Jack, to return from military service during the Korean war. In 1952, they were married at St Edward’s Catholic Church in Little Rock. She and Jack raised their 11 children in Morrilton and made many sacrifices to send their children to Sacred Heart Catholic school. She also found time to devote to her church and community. Irene was a kind, gentle, and loving mother. She had a way of making each person in her large and continually growing family feel special and loved. She was a woman of faith who always put her family and others before herself. Through her example, she instilled in her children a strong faith and love for God and the Church. She maintained her love and faith and concern for others even during her health struggles over the last few years. Throughout this time her humble and grateful spirit was an example to all who love her. She is survived by her husband, Louis G. “Jack” Kordsmeier, Jr.; children, Janis Hill of Morrilton, Diane (Whit) Pierce of Hammond, Louisiana, Louis G. (Gary) Kordsmeier III of Conway, Steve (Cynthia) Kordsmeier of Sherwood, Sandra (Bill) McCoy of Conway, Dwayne (Karen) Kordsmeier of Morrilton, Vince Kordsmeier of Dallas, Texas, Marissa (Kevin) Keith of Little Rock, Brian (Carol) Kordsmeier of Benton, Kevin (Vicke) Kordsmeier of Little Rock, and Kim (Bo) Hunter of Ft. Smith; twenty-nine grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Father Maurus Gerke and Charles Gerke; sisters Rose Marie Kresse, Dorris Kresse, Rita Prieur, and Geraldine Gerke; son-in-law Carl Hill; and grandchildren Cole Hill and Connor Kordsmeier. Memorial gifts in Irene's memory can be made to the Carl and Cole Hill Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund or Sacred Heart Church. The funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 10, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Jack Harris officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Rosary will be 6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 9 at the funeral home with visitation following until 8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Irene Jewell Gerke Kordsmeier

September 1, 1927 - April 3, 2023