Imogene Roepke

Imogene L. Roepke, age 96, of Hoquiam, Washington, passed away on January 15, 2020, at Pacific Care Center in Hoquiam. 

.Imogene was born March 12, 1923, in Irving, Kansas, to John Isadore and Amelia Eva (Forst) Tommer. They moved soon after to a farm at “Star”, near Waterville, and that became the family home.

She attended grade school at the one room “Star” school. A 1932 photo shows 23 students – Imogene (9), brother, Lawrence (11), and sister, Catherine (7). She attended Waterville High School, graduating in 1941, was in chorus, played clarinet, guitar, and piano. 

On July 30, 1949, Imogene married Raymond G. Roepke (1914-1986) of Barnes, Kansas. They were blessed to share 37 years together making their home in Barnes, living in the same home until Raymond’s death.

Imogene worked at various jobs over the years. A clerk at Midland Parts and Bearings in Irving, Kansas and Honstead’s Mercantile in Waterville; switchboard operator in Barnes; and assisted with tax preparation for several years. She planted and tended a large garden, canning jar after jar of fruits and vegetables. All while helping Raymond in his cabinet making and custom home building business. 

In late 1986 Imogene moved to Hoquiam, Washington, to be near her brother and sister and their families. She loved all the shades of green in the trees and marveled at the beautiful shrubs and flowers. She genuinely enjoyed the rain. Imogene and Raymond had no children but found much joy in all their nieces and nephews. She was able to name them all and name all their children.

She got her first computer in her 80’s and became proficient at e-mail! She was very curious about how things worked and were made. She enjoyed having family and friends visit her. Other favorite pastimes were reading her Prayers, talking to family and friends on the phone, playing piano, wordsearches, jigsaw puzzles, BINGO, and especially, endless hours playing “The Marble Game”! She also did beautiful hand embroidery work for many years. 

Imogene was preceded in death by her loving husband, Raymond; her father, John Isadore Tommer; her mother, Amelia Eva Tommer; nephew Bobby Dale Rowland; her sister Catherine Rowland; and her brother Lawrence Tommer, Sr. 

She is survived by her cousins Margaret (Tommer) Rosebaugh, of Topeka, KS, Richard Hawley, of Waterville, KS, and Joan Hawley Sharpe, of Henderson, NV; nieces Jacqueline Lawson (Ron) of Olympia, WA, and Sandra Wills (Danny) of Aliso Viejo, CA; nephews David Rowland (Jacquelynn) of Hoquiam, WA, and Dan Rowland of Olympia, WA; Lawrence Tommer, Jr., of Montana; and Nicholas (Donna) Tommer of Ephrata, WA. There are 18 great and 20 great-great nieces and nephews, all of whom were dearly loved. Her family was her joy. We will remember and celebrate the life she lived, the love she shared, and the difference she made in our lives. Her smile and the sound of her laughter will not be forgotten. She was a gift to each of us.

Graveside inurnment services are planned for 10:00 am, Monday, September 13, 2021, at Cottage Hill Cemetery, south of Waterville