Irene G Abts

Irene G. Steinke Abts, longtime resident of Big Springs, NE, died Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Sedgwick County Nursing Home in Julesburg, CO, at the age of 99 years and 7½ months.

Irene was the fourth of ten children born to Henry and Emma (Miller) Steinke. She was born on December 16, 1926, at Venango, NE. Irene was baptized on January 9, 1927, and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith on April 6, 1941, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venango, NE.

Irene attended country school and graduated from Big Springs High School in 1944. She took Normal Training in high school and began teaching country school when she was 18 yrs. old.

She married Earl "Mike" Abts on June 22, 1947. Two children were born to this union, Murl M. in 1948 and Judy I. in 1951. Irene enjoyed babysitting, canning, hosting family dinners, making quilts, and going to garage sales. She could not leave a Garage Sale without spending at least a nickel!

Survivors include her son, Murl (Judy) Abts of Julesburg, CO., daughter, Judy (Jerome) Dixon of Omaha, NE.; 5 grandchildren, Ryan (Denise) Abts of Scottsbluff, NE., Kellie (Scot) Bandel of Kearney, NE, Kristi Kim of Rochester, MN., Chad (Meredith) Dixon of Omaha, NE., Wendy (Mark) Roth of Bennington, NE., 10 great-grandchildren; Mekayla (Ryley) Huddleston of Scottsbluff, NE., Reece (fiancé Siena) Abts of Scottsbluff, NE., Brayton Bandel of Beloit, KS., Olivia Bandel of Kearney, NE., Lauren, Emily and Mason Kim of Rochester, MN., Ethan and Elise Roth of Bennington, NE., Thad Dixon of Omaha, NE., and 2 great-great grandchildren, Leroy and Lily Huddleston of Scottsbluff, NE., 3 sisters and 1 brother, and several nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Mike, her parents, 2 brothers, and 3 sisters.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Julesburg, with Rev. Trenton D. Christensen officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Big Spring Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church of Big Springs in Irene's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.