Larned – Alta Irene Hiebert, 92, passed away March 18, 2018 at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned.

She was born November 22, 1925 at home on the family farm, and was the daughter of Floyd E. and Fleeta (Hess) Gibson.  Irene grew up near Ash Valley northwest of Larned and attended Woodrow and Harmony Schools (country schools in the Ash Valley community.)  She attended Larned High School and graduated in 1944.

Irene earned a Teaching Certificate in 1946 from Fort Hays Kansas State College, and began teaching later that year in the rural schools in Pawnee County.  She taught first at Hopewell school.  The next year she taught at Ray School.  And her last year, she taught at Woodrow School.

She married Milton H. Hiebert on August 21, 1949.  Milton and Irene farmed on the home place where Irene was born in the Ash Valley Community.  Milton died in 2014.

She was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church and after it closed, she became a member of the Larned United Methodist Church.  Over the years she held district offices in the United Methodist Church.  She was a member of Extension Units in Pawnee County earning a 50 year membership pin in 2011.  She was also a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, and spent many volunteer hours there as well as at the Budget Shop.

Irene loved the people she was around all through her life.  She had great compassion for them, and was always willing to lend a helping hand when she saw the need.  She loved the bus tours and travels that she did with Milton.  Again, she met many people along the way and quickly considered them her friends.

Most precious was her family.  She also adored her sister and family with the many, many visits they were able to have though they were miles apart at time.  She loved the Hiebert gatherings and reunions as well.

When she moved to Country Living in 2014, she was with many that she had known at various stages in her life.  She considered them her family, and loved her time there very much.

Survivors are three sons, Lyle Hiebert and his wife Sheila, Wichita, KS, Dallas Hiebert and his wife Diane, Rozel, KS, Roger Hiebert of Kansas City, MO, a daughter, Charlene Burton and husband Bill, Russell, KS; sister, Donna Lea Needels  and husband, Foster, Montgomery, TX; ten grandchildren (Christine Hiebert, Karen Finnemore, Joseph Hiebert, Alan Burton, granddaughter-in-law, Rebecca Kuehl, Duane Hiebert, Amy Hiebert, Kyden Hiebert, Ellora Hiebert, Kenna Hiebert, Ean Hiebert) and 7 great grandchildren (Melissa Pardue, Geoffrey Lodge, Jocelyn Lodge, Raiden Finnemore, Alexis Burton, Aiden Burton, Ryleigh Kuehl.)

She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd E. and Fleeta (Hess) Gibson and husband, Milton and a grandson, Brian Burton.

Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Larned United Methodist, Larned, with Rev. Bethann Black presiding.  Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned.  Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery, Larned.

Memorials may be given to Larned United Methodist Church or Country Living of Larned in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Box 477 Larned, KS 67550.  Condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com .