Irma Viola Noble born on Saturday, March 20, 1915, at the home of her parents; Carroll and Verda (Hunsiker) Noble located in Walnut Creek Township in rural Inavale, Nebraska. She was their first child. Later she was joined by four sisters and two brothers. All five Noble girls (along with their Mother, Verda) became teachers in rural Nebraska. The Noble girls were: Irma, Velma, Verdell, Winnie and Sarabelle.
Their Mother, Verda went back to college in 1952. She attended Kearney State College along with her youngest daughter Sarabelle. Upon earning her degree, Verda taught in several rural Nebraska schools as well as teaching in the elementary grades in Bladen and Riverton before she retired.
Irma graduated from Red Cloud, Nebraska High School in May of 1933. She began taking college courses at the Red Cloud High School given through the University of Nebraska from January of 1934 through May of 1934. During the summer of 1937, Irma continued her education, attending summer school at York College.
In September of 1934 through May of 1936, Irma taught grades one through eight in rural schools in Webster County, Nebraska.
September 1936-1937 Irma taught in Spring Valley, Nebraska.
September 1937-1938 Irma taught in Franklin County, Nebraska.
September 1938-1939 Irma taught grades one through six in a two-room rural school along with another teacher teaching grades seven trough ten.
Irma’s starting salary in 1934 was $30 a month. When she finished teaching in 1939 she was making $50 a month.
In June of 1939, Irma married G. Merrill West. They moved to Wisconsin where Irma and Merrill owned a dairy farm and raised seven children of their own. One of their daughters went into teaching and taught for 31 years.
Irma never stopped learning and in the fall of 1962, Irma returned to Vocational-Technical School in Stevens Point, Wisconsin taking a number of courses “to refresh her brain.”
May of 1973, Irma was the first woman ever appointed in the state of Wisconsin to the Wisconsin Vocational, Technical and Adult Education Board. She was appointed by Gov. Patrick Lucey. It was a six year term which was confirmed by the state Senate in October of 1973. In Irma’s own words, “It was an interesting experience!”
Irma passed away on April 9, 1990, in Wisconsin.
Their Mother, Verda went back to college in 1952. She attended Kearney State College along with her youngest daughter Sarabelle. Upon earning her degree, Verda taught in several rural Nebraska schools as well as teaching in the elementary grades in Bladen and Riverton before she retired.
Irma graduated from Red Cloud, Nebraska High School in May of 1933. She began taking college courses at the Red Cloud High School given through the University of Nebraska from January of 1934 through May of 1934. During the summer of 1937, Irma continued her education, attending summer school at York College.
In September of 1934 through May of 1936, Irma taught grades one through eight in rural schools in Webster County, Nebraska.
September 1936-1937 Irma taught in Spring Valley, Nebraska.
September 1937-1938 Irma taught in Franklin County, Nebraska.
September 1938-1939 Irma taught grades one through six in a two-room rural school along with another teacher teaching grades seven trough ten.
Irma’s starting salary in 1934 was $30 a month. When she finished teaching in 1939 she was making $50 a month.
In June of 1939, Irma married G. Merrill West. They moved to Wisconsin where Irma and Merrill owned a dairy farm and raised seven children of their own. One of their daughters went into teaching and taught for 31 years.
Irma never stopped learning and in the fall of 1962, Irma returned to Vocational-Technical School in Stevens Point, Wisconsin taking a number of courses “to refresh her brain.”
May of 1973, Irma was the first woman ever appointed in the state of Wisconsin to the Wisconsin Vocational, Technical and Adult Education Board. She was appointed by Gov. Patrick Lucey. It was a six year term which was confirmed by the state Senate in October of 1973. In Irma’s own words, “It was an interesting experience!”
Irma passed away on April 9, 1990, in Wisconsin.