Obituary

One of the first woman surgeons in Kansas, Dr. Irene Koeneke Hertzler, died Friday at Halstead Hospital. She had retired in April at 81 as physician at the Hertzler Clinic foounded in Halstead by her husband, Dr. Arthur E. Hertzler, who died in 1946.

Until being hospitalized recently with cancer, Dr. Koeneke walked from her home to the clinic daily. She was a member of the board and honorary vice president of the Hertzler Research Foundation.

She was born January 28, 1898 at Concordia, Missouri and came to Kansas in the summer of 1927 "to get my surgical pathology" from Dr. Arthur E. Hertzler, never intending to stay in Halstead. But she found herself asking Hertzler if she could join the medical staff, which she did in 1928 after graduation from Washington University, St. Louis. She and Herezler were married seven years later.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church; Order of Eastern Star; Harvey County, Kansas and American Medical Societies; American Medical Association; American Medical Women's Association; Pan American Medical Women's Medical Alliance; the World Medical Organization; American Geriatric Society; Fellow of American College of Surgeons; Alpha Epsilon Iota; life member of KU alumni association; and Association of American University of Women, Halstead chapter.

She is survived by her sister, Eloise Koeneke, Halstead.

A memorial service will be Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church at Halstead. Private graveside service with the family will be held at the Halstead Cemetery.