To: All Staff Members
From: J. W Maucker, President
Date: June 4, 1969
Miss Irene Ehresman, former Periodicals Librarian, passed away at Sartori Hospital on Tuesday, June 3. She was born in Patterson, New Jersey, in 1885. Miss Ehresman received the B. A. degree from Carleton College in 1909, and, after having been awarded the Library School Certificate at University of Wisconsin in 1926, she joined the Library staff at University of Northern Iowa. Although she assumed emeritus status in 1954, she continued to serve on a part-time basis until 1966. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, American Library Association, Iowa Library Association, and American Association of University Women.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, at the Nottger Funeral Home, Cedar Falls, with burial in the city cemetery at Blue Earth, Minnesota. The flag will be flown at half-mast Thursday morning in memory of Miss Ehresman. The family has requested that memorials be given to the UNI Foundation.
IRENE A. EHRESMAN
Miss Irene A. Ehresman, for forty years a member of the library staff, died at Sartori Hospital June 3, 1969. She had appeared to be recovering from a broken hip suffered three weeks earlier when a heart attack ended her life.
Miss Ehresman was born at Patterson, New Jersey, September 11, 1885. Later the family home was at Blue Earth, Minnesota. After graduation from Carleton College in 1909, she taught Latin in high schools in Crete, Nebraska; Janesville, Minnesota; Elk Point, South Dakota; and for some years at Owatonna, Minnesota, before changing her profession to librarianship. A graduate of the Wisconsin Library School in 1926, she came that fall to the library of the Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa).
As librarian in charge of periodicals and binding--a demanding and highly important post--her capacity for attention to detail and striving for complete accuracy made her outstanding. She assumed emeritus status in 1954 but continued to give part-time service until 1966.
A new and absorbing interest for her retirement years was the building and furnishing of her charming summer cottage on West Cormorant Lake in Minnesota, where she spent her summers as late as 1967. There her joy in nature sights and sounds was shared with her friends in beautifully written letters.
Irene Ehresman's friendly interest in her acquaintances was frequently expressed. She had a genius for keeping in touch and for sharing. If a friend had received some honor or achieved a coveted goal, a telephone call or a graceful note from her was evidence that she knew and was glad. She was the kind of person whose passing is felt by many, not just by her close friends.
Miss Ehresman was a long time member of the College Hill Interdenominational Church and of the Faculty Women's Club. Other memberships included American Library Association, Iowa Library Association, and American Association of University Women. Her scholarship was recognized by membership in Phi Beta Kappa, granted years after her graduation when the Carleton chapter was organized in 1914.
We offer this tribute to a dedicated and effective faculty member and a valued friend and ask that it be made a part of the minutes of the University Senate and that copies be sent to her sister and her niece: Mrs. Henry J. Muehlenbein, 402 11th Street South, Fargo, North Dakota 58102 Mrs. Ted Echols, 2803 Crane Creek Road, Boise, Idaho 83702
Mary Dieterich
Evelyn Mullins
Donald O. Rod
September 10, 1969
Read at Senate meeting, October 13, 1969