Imogene Stec died with her family at her side on November 18, 2018, in Fort Smith.  She was born June 23, 1928 in Charleston, AR.

Preceding her in death was the love of her life, Erwin Joseph Stec who passed in 1972; her parents, Jerry & Regina Verkamp of Charleston, AR; her sister, Sister Irene (Maxine) Verkamp, OSB of St. Scholastica Monastery; her daughter Sandra Stec, and grandchild Megan Stec.

She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, the Presentation Circle and Condolence Committee.

Imogene graduated valedictorian of Charleston High School, received her Associate of Business degree from Westark College and her Bachelor of Business degree from the University of the Ozarks.

She was employed for several years before her marriage in the offices and businesses owned by Dale Bumpers and Herman Adams, before becoming Dale Bumpers secretary.

She met the dashing Erwin at a Fort Chaffee dance.  Knowing she was the one, he proposed to her while stationed in Germany by mailing her the engagement ring; they were married in July of 1955.  The newlyweds moved to her husband's hometown of Chicago, Illinois, where five of her six children were born.  After her marriage, she devoted herself fulltime to caring for her family.

In 1963 they moved the family back to Imogene's hometown of Charleston and then to Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1969.   Following her husband's death, she served as secretary for Christ the King school from 1972 to 1984.  After that she was employed for 15 years at Weldon, Williams & Lick before retiring to help care for and raise her many grandchildren.

She is survived by her children:  Larry and Mindy Stec, Mike and Donna Stec, Steve and Juli Stec, David and Julie Stec, and daughter Diane Wall; grandchildren:  Amanda Stec,  Staci Ledford and her husband Zach, Christopher Stec and his wife Christina,  Justin Stec and his wife Lindsey,  Brandon Stec, Amia Stec and his wife Sarah,  Jettie Shirley and her husband Hunter,  Charlie Wall and his wife Kristie,  Bridget Wall and Andre Murphy,  Dr. Nicole Stec Phillips and her husband Dr. Zac Phillips,  April Stec and Kyle Richardson,  Chance Scamardo and his wife Dr. Taylor Ghahremani Scamardo , Daniel Scamardo, Kayla Duty,  Jerra Thomas and her husband Jeremy, KaLee Greenwood and her husband Chad, Jennon Holloway, Steven Hall and wife Traci; great grandchildren:  DJ Murphy, Annette Phillips, Addison Ledford, Avery Ledford, Haven Wall, Jett Newton, Dane Phillips, Haysley Jo Stec, Beau Ledford, Charli and Crew Hall. She is also survived by her brother Herman Verkamp and his family of Charleston, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate contributions to St. Scholastica Monastery, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith AR 72913.

Rosary service will be held Tuesday, November 20th, at 6:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Fort Smtih with a Celebration of Life following in Christ the King Parish Center. Funeral mass will be Wednesday, November 21st, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Church. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Charleston. All arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Tim, Kevin, Brian, Mark, and John Verkamp and Dr. James Schmitz.  Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

To view the video tribute, please visit http://videos.lifetributes.com/935794

To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.