Irene June Hurst

Irene June Hurst, 94, Valley Falls, KS, died Thursday, August 17, 2017, at Atria Hearthstone East, Topeka. She was born June 26, 1923, at Russell, the daughter of Katherine (Dumler) Herdt ( 03/09/1901-10/12/1934) and John Walter Herdt, Sr. (03/21/1895-11/09/1973). She had lived in Russell, WaKeeney, and Clyde before moving to Valley Falls. She had lived in Hillsboro for a short time before returning to Valley Falls after her marriage.

Irene was confirmed in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She graduated from Valley Falls High School in 1941, and was active in many school reunions. She had been an active member of the Valley Falls United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, had served as President of the United Methodist Women, and served on various committees. She played bridge in several clubs including the Tuesday afternoon bridge club which met on Thursdays. Irene was a member of Meriden Chapter # 399 of the Order of the Eastern Star, Federated Study Clubs, and Chapter DK, PEO (past-president). She was active in her two sons’ many activities and had served as city and county chairwoman for the March of Dimes.

Irene and her husband had farmed and operated Hurst Auction Service prior to his death.

She was married to Paul Arthur Hurst (02/11/1918-06/13/1992) on May 3, 1942, at her parents’ Hillsboro home. Her son, Lt. Quentin Foxx Hurst (11/16/1944-09/27/1968), was a U.S. Army helicopter pilot killed in action in Vietnam. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother, Tabea Steinert Herdt (01/26/1907-10/06/1994); and six brothers: Leroy, John, Ralph, Marvin, Leonard, and George.

Surviving are her children: Jeffrey Mark and Loretta Renee Hurst of Topeka; grandchildren: Quentin Ashley and M. Ilene Hurst of Overland Park, and Jay Robert and Cortni Jean Hurst of Topeka; great-grandchildren: Garrhett Paul, Cecily Faith, Jonathan David “Jack,” and Corey Matthew Hurst of Overland Park; and siblings: Helen Leona Jordan of Kansas City, MO, Robert Eugene Herdt of Overland Park, and Ruth Elaine Penner of Newton.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM, Monday, August 21, 2017, at the Valley Falls United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Valley Falls Cemetery.

Irene will lie in state after 2:00 PM, Sunday, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Falls United Methodist Church Organ Fund, 410 Frazier Avenue, Valley Falls, KS 66088 or the Valley Falls Historical Society, 310 Broadway, Valley Falls, KS 66088.