Irdell Dona Chase

Irdell Dona Chase, 88, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Thursday, September 22, 2011, at Lexington Regional Health Center. Irdell was born , Dona Irdell, to Raphael and Amanda (Schmidt) Chartraw, near Cat Creek, Custer County, Nebraska on the family farm. Irdell graduated from Mason City High School in 1940. She took Normal Training after high school. Her first teaching job was northwest of Broken Bow and her last two years of teaching was north of Cat Creek, Nebraska. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Harold A. Chase on May 26, 1944, at the Baptist Church in Broken Bow, Nebraska. One daughter was blessed to this marriage; Barbara. Harold was stationed in Alaska during WWII. They were married when he returned home. The couple lived in Galveston, Texas for a year, where Harold was stationed and then honorably discharged. After the service they built a home in Gothenburg, Nebraska. In 1952, Irdell was in the hospital twenty days, not expected to live. It turned out to be a ruptured appendix. Later that year she had a complete nervous breakdown and due to insulin and electrical shock treatments she was physically and mentally like a baby. She had to learn how to walk, read, write, cook and dress herself. In 1962, the family moved to Lexington, because of Harold’s work. At that time Irdell’s name was changed for business purposes. Irdell enjoyed being a wife and mother, taught piano lessons, did church work, was a wonderful cook, babysat, and enjoyed her garden and flowers and being outdoors. Sadly, dementia slowly took these things from her over the past twelve years. She loved her Lord, her husband and daughter and will be so very missed. Irdell is survived by her husband: Harold Chase of Lexington, Nebraska One daughter: Barbara Chase of Lexington, Nebraska Her beloved therapy dog: Benny of Lexington. One brother: Eugene Chartraw of Ansley, Nebraska One niece: Connie Miller of Milford, Nebraska One nephew: Mike Chartraw of Lincoln, Nebraska Irdell was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law; an infant niece, and many aunts and uncles. A Graveside Service will be held Monday, September 26, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington, Nebraska with Pastors John Shields, Paul Pack and Paul Thomas officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the Graveside Service from 10-11 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Family for future designation. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please direct online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.