In loving memory of

Irene Humburg Abernathy
April 16, 1934 - May 8, 2020

IN FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CDC AND THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SERVICES FOR IRENE HUMBURG ABERNATHY WILL BE PRIVATE.

Grace Irene Humburg Abernathy of Hampton, Iowa, age 86, died Friday, May 8, 2020, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton. She was born April 16, 1934, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, to Frank and Grace (Riley) Snyder.

Irene attended Iowa Falls schools and graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1952. She was united in marriage to Ernest W. Humburg in Iowa Falls, on January 17, 1954, and resided in Hampton, Iowa. Ernest preceded her in death on January 9, 1978. Irene married Richard H. Abernathy in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, on August 2, 1980, and lived in Ellsworth and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Waverly, Iowa. Richard preceded her in death on February 13, 2006. Irene worked as a legal secretary in Hampton and administrative assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She started and led a women's bible study group for many years. Irene's Christian faith made her who she was. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them.

Irene is survived by her son, David (Debbie) Humburg of Ottumwa; daughter, Donna (David) Cahill of Byron, Minnesota; daughter, Barbara (Merl) Viet of Dumont; step-daughter, Diann McKibben of Lenexa, Kansas; step-son, Michael (Gail) Abernathy of Altoona, Wisconsin; 15 grandchildren: Adam (Crissy) Humburg of Elko New Market, Minnesota; Aimee Humburg of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Amanda (Tony) Hollingshead of North Royalton, Ohio; Michelle (Tim) Domke of Holly Springs, North Carolina; Laura Abernathy of Maplewood, Minnesota; James Abernathy of Byron, Minnesota; Reece (Kristie) Viet of Ankeny; Nick (Sarah) Viet of Pleasant Hill; Beth (Nick) Bretz of Hampton; Brad McKibben of Kansas City, Kansas; Melissa (Sadeana) Steele of Kansas City, Kansas; Rebecca (Marc) Maki of Negaunee, Michigan; Jessica Abernathy of Newberry, Michigan; and great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Hollingshead; Eden, Jovi, Justice, Forest, and Lyric Humburg; Logan Domke; Paisley and Benson Viet; Nixon Viet and Maddi German; Barrett and Piper Bretz; Nora and Rylen Steele; Alexia Maki; brother, Forrest (Betty) Burgin of Indianola; sister-in-law, Coke Humburg of Hampton; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ernest W. Humburg; her second husband, Richard H. Abernathy; her parents, Frank and Grace Snyder; two sisters, Jean Cronk and Arvilla "Tootsie" Greimann; step-son, John R. Abernathy; brother-in-law, Luverne Humburg, and sister-in-law, Dorothy Kruckenberg.

Cards of condolences may be sent to Irene's family at P.O. Box 403, Hampton, IA 50441.

The Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home of Hampton is assisting Irene's family.

Tributes

Becky Steagall wrote on Jan 4, 2021:

"Irene was my good friend for many years after we met at the UW-Eau Claire Copy Corner. She and I went on a trip to Branson MO. Our husbands became friends as well and had a story about the Abernathy's oil tank that he and Dick removed from their basement and brought to our house in Eau Claire County. Irene was part of the little group of women who worked in various departments at the university and we tried to meet once a week in various restaurants in Eau Claire even when we got jobs off campus and retired. I missed Irene and she always reminded me in her Christmas letters that she wanted me and my husband to stop and visit her if we went to Branson again. Irene loved the Lord and I know I will meet her in heaven. Becky Steagall, Eleva WI"

Janet Kohls wrote on May 14, 2020:

"I would see her at church and when she visited the Franklin Wellness Center to enjoy the warm water. She was a sweet, smiling lady."

Laura Heyde wrote on May 11, 2020:

"Donna, My deepest sympathy to you and your family during your time of loss."

Paige Weiland wrote on May 11, 2020:

"Donna, Your Mayo Clinic team is thinking of you and sending prayers of peace and comfort to your family during this difficult time. - Paige"