Our sweet and beautiful Mother, Irene "Reni" Ursula Hampel Kupitz, was called "home" on Thursday, 27 October 2016 in Provo, Utah. The daughter of Hermann Gustav Hampel and Marie Alma Johanna Gunther Hampel , Irene was born on 27 August 1928 in Aschersleben, Germany. Irene married our Dad, Gerhard Richard Kupitz, on 28 October 1949 in Halberstadt, Germany. Their marriage was solemnized on 19 May 1956 in the Bern Switzerland Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mom wanted eight children, but only got four: Gabriele, Carla, Marcus (Janeen), and Marion (Judy). Her grandchildren are Cody (Tiffany), Christie (Jason Mitchell), and Colton. Her great-grandson is Nathan. As a young woman in Germany, Mom graduated from a rigorous Drogistin course of study and worked in that profession in Aschersleben and Halberstadt until her marriage.
Gerhard and Irene and their two daughters immigrated to the United States in 1958. They loved the United States and the freedoms they enjoyed in this great country and in Utah where they settled. Mom lived a life of service to her family, neighborhood, and Church. Mom loves her children and was always there to help them with spiritual and worldly matters. In the Church, she served in the Primary as a teacher and pianist. She served as a counselor in her Ward Relief Society and the cookbook she helped write (before computers) for the Rose Park 4th Ward Relief Society is in its second printing. She always had a vegetable garden and helped her neighbors, especially the elderly, in their gardens. Irene loved people. She cared for the sick and the weary. She baked countless cakes and breads for her family and for others. In 1980, Mom and Dad moved to Bennion (now Taylorsville). Together, Dad and Mom served as temple workers in the Jordan River Utah Temple where Mom was a supervisor. She also served as a Visiting Teacher for many years in her Taylorsville Bernina Ward.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Heinz; and her beloved husband, Gerhard. Thanks to Hearts for Hospice (especially Katie, Terrie, and Dr. Jill Bergeson for their helping hands and love). Thanks to Norm Anderson, Brian Anderson, Jerry Jaccard, and Ben Holdaway who could be counted on to bring the sacrament to Mom when she lived in Provo and could no longer attend Sacrament Meetings. Thanks also Gina Jakins who loved our Mom ("Mutti") and to Darrell Jakins and David Galbraith who helped mom on her journey "home". Thanks to the wonderful ward members and leaders who checked in on Mom and to the many people on Mom's daily/weekly/monthly calling list and especially, Bill Beene, neighbor, home teacher, and friend with whom Mom (after Dad's death in 2009) conducted a weekly Family Home Evening over the telephone and who spoke with Mom almost every day when she called him at 10 a.m.
As per Mom's wishes not to have a funeral, a viewing will be held on Wednesday, 2 November 2016, from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah. Interment will follow at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family suggests contributions be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund, Humanitarian Fund, etc.
Until we meet again…
