O'Rourke, Orpha M.

Other Events:

• Obituary: 27 Oct 2011; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Orpha Coenen, 95, Little Chute, died Sunday, October 23, 2011. Orpha was born July 26, 1916, to Julian and Frances (Grohowsky) O'Rourke in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she received her elementary and secondary education degree. While attending Purdue University she became affiliated with Pi Beta Phi, women's collegiate fraternity. In 1939, she came to Wisconsin to become advertising manager of Gloudemans & Gage Department Store. Upon her marriage to Andrew Coenen on August 17, 1940, she moved to Little Chute where she continued to reside. Orpha was a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Little Chute. From 1948 to 1959 she was employed as a sewing instructor by the Village of Little Chute. Volunteer service was an important part of her life; from Red Cross Home Service Representative during World War II to, in later years, volunteering in the St. John Nepomucene Parish office, the parish Craft Club and Kaukauna Community Hospital Scholarship Committee. She served as province and international officer of Pi Beta Phi for 28 years, including 12 years as international treasurer. She was listed among the Who's Who of American Women, and upon her retirement in 1987, was honored with the title, Grand Treasurer Emeritus. Her cottage at White Potato Lake provided summer enjoyment and recreation for 47 years. Knitting, reading and time spent at her computer occupied the winter leisure hours.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, David (Sandra) Coenen, Oshkosh; 2 granddaughters: Pamela (Marlyn) Evenson, Colorado Springs, Colorado and Cara Coenen, Minneapolis, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Marian Driessen, Little Chute; Leone (Robert) Stadler, Suring; and Rose Kavanaugh, Little Chute.
Orpha was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew, October 20, 1980; parents; in-laws: Richard (Delores) Coenen; Esther (nee Coenen)(Joseph Kuborn)(Clarence) DeBruin; Robert Driessen and Robert Kavanaugh.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 31, 2011, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Little Chute, with Fr. James Hablewitz officiating. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery, Little Chute. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Orpha's name.
Verkuilen Funeral Home
& Cremation Services Little Chute 788 3321
www.verkuilenfh.com
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on October 27, 2011

Orpha married Coenen, Andrew G. 17 Aug 1940. Andrew (son of Coenen, George G. and Hermsen, Mary) was born 10 Aug 1914, Little Chute, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; died 20 Oct 1980, Little Chute, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; was buried Aft 20 Oct 1980, St. John Catholic Cemetery, Little Chute, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

David married Derus, Sandra Jean [Group Sheet]

Pamela married Evenson, Marlyn Jr. [Group Sheet]