Irm Perkins

Memorial services celebrating the life of Irmgard "Irm" Perkins, age 90 of Deer Creek, will be held at 11:00a.m. on Friday, November 8, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek, MN with Pastor Don Wagner presiding. Friends and family may gather at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial at Oak Hill Cemetery at Deer Creek will be held at a later date. Irm passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024. In the spirit of serving others, she donated herself to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program in Minneapolis for educational and medical research. Irmgard “Irm” Anna Perkins was born to John & Anna (Hasse) Meyer on September 25, 1934, in Leaf Lake Township, Ottertail County, MN. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Henning. She completed her early education in a one-room schoolhouse (District 119 in Leaf Lake Township) where the teacher spoke only English. Irm’s older brother, Alfred, learned it, then taught the German-speaking Meyer family the new language. Irm attended Henning High School, graduating with the class of 1952. After receiving her RN degree from Fairview Hospital School of Nursing in 1955, she was employed at Fairview for a year, followed by several years at Wesley Hospital in Wadena. On November 17, 1956, Irm married Chuck Perkins and began their life in an old house on a recently purchased farm in Deer Creek, MN. Irm managed the household, tended and preserved food from the garden, and helped Chuck with the daily milking and other farm chores. Twelve years and four children later, they built a new home with indoor plumbing that included a commode, bathtub, and running hot water. Irm lived on the farm until September of this year. The Perkins were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek, where Irm was involved with Sunday School, LWML, and choir. She was a charter member of the Morning Glories Garden Club, a 4-H leader, and a twenty-year “pink lady” volunteer at Tri-County Hospital. In a final act of giving, Irm donated her body to science and research at the University of Minnesota. Irm enjoyed cultivating a beautiful yard and flower garden. Music, reading, embroidery, and her family were lifelong passions. Survivors include her children: Ruth (Terry) Schmeckpeper, Wayne (Lisa) Perkins, Dale (Ann) Perkins, Jean (George) Conkle; grandchildren: Katie (Joe) Behnke, Becki (Josh) Koepsell, Stephanie (Ethan) Yungbauer, Amanda Perkins, Hanna (Chad) Peterson, Caleb (Abby) Bigham, Elizabeth (Matt) Thompson, and Sam (Nicole) Tripp; along with great-grandchildren: Nick, Zach, Garrett, Aiden, Ollie, Livvie, William, Patrick, and Leah, with Sophie expected in January; brother, Delbert (Jan) Meyer; sister, Lorene Rector; and sister-in-law, Mary Jane Meyer. Irm is preceded in death by her husband, Chuck, (2018); daughter-in-law, Lori Perkins; sister, Rosie Olson; brother, Alfred Meyer; brothers-in-law: Waren Rector, Roy Olson, Vernon Schlichting and Bill Babb; and sisters-in-law, Miriam Schlichting and Dorothy Babb.

Irm Perkins

September 25, 1934 - November 1, 2024