The Columbia Paper 2024, April 25

CLAVERACK—Irene Viebrock (nee Bauer), 90, of Claverack and long-time resident of Columbia County, died peacefully at home Wednesday, February 19, 2025. She was the daughter of Helene (Milchert) and Adolf Bauer, who predeceased her. She was German-born in Kaunas, Lithuania, October 1, 1934. Her childhood was disrupted as she and her family were victims of the Hitler regime, and constantly relocated at the regime’s will. In the early 1940s, they were forced to flee Eastern Prussia due to the Russian invasion (her father was killed in the war and remains unaccounted for); their train could not stop and they would remain on the train until its final stop in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany. There they found respite from the war; and while housing, food, drink, and clothing were scarce, they found refuge there until they were able to emigrate to the United States in 1951. They arrived in New York City on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 1951.

She and her mother worked at the local fabric mills in Philmont. She married her soulmate, John H. Viebrock, September 11, 1954. She was predeceased by her husband, and her brother, Reinhold Bauer.

She raised a family and was heavily involved in the daily operation of their family business, John H. Viebrock, Excavating. Volunteerism was very important to her. She was an active member of the hospital auxiliary and spent many years volunteering at The Second Show in Hudson. She was “homeroom mother” at Ockawamick Central School for her children. Most important were the volunteer efforts at her church, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Hudson. This was her community of faith, participating in the Ladies Aide, women dedicated to the missions of the local church and beyond, as well as worship and Bible studies.

She is survived by: her son, Richard (daughter-in-law Cheryl) of Claverack; daughter, Helen Viebrock Hamel of Claverack; grandchildren, Adam (Alison) Viebrock of Holly Springs, GA, Nathan (Courtney) Viebrock of Charlotte, NC, Kate (Travis) O’Neal of Roswell, GA, Samuel Keram of Claverack; seven great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Kay Bauer (Ron) of Fernandino Beach, FL; several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Hudson.

A Rite of Christian Burial service will be held Saturday, March 1, 2 p.m., at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Hudson. A time of visitation will take place prior to the funeral from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the church. Burial will take place in the spring. Arrangements are with the Bates and Anderson Funeral Home, Hudson.