World Travelers Making a Local Impact

Irma Jepsen was a resident of northwest Davenport, Iowa since her birth in December of 1910. Irma's early life revolved around her father and mother, Jens and Alma, and her sister, Helen. Her father owned the Jepsen Pharmacy, two blocks from her grandparents' home on 17th Street. Irma remembered back to when her grandfather owned a pasture on the west side of Mercy Hospital, now Genesis West. Sadly, she lost her parents and sister during the 1950s. She remained in her family home for many years, enjoying familiar surroundings, staying active in sports, and traveling with friends. Later she lived at Ridgecrest Village.

Irma graduated from Davenport High School in 1927, now Davenport Central High School, and attended St. Ambrose University for two years. She liked mathematics and science, which at that time were unusual fields for a woman to be interested in. She started her career as a bookkeeper for a local dress making company. While at the dress company, Irma learned the valuable skills of accounting, dictation, stenography and purchasing. This knowledge would eventually help her obtain a position with Davenport Bank & Trust Company. She worked in accounting and auditing for the bank until she retired at the age of 60, having enjoyed her career immensely.

Irma traveled extensively with her good friend who was three years younger, Vernona Jepsen, whom she met as a young girl in Sunday School. While they were not related, they both were very involved with the Putnam Museum, and shared many other interests.

It was during her time at the bank that Irma first became interested in charitable organizations. Through bank meetings, Irma came into contact with people from many local charities. She was an active volunteer for many years and she particularly enjoyed her membership at the Putnam Museum. Irma shared a passion for giving back and she did so through donating her time and talents. She once said, "I want to help the community where I grew up and lived for many years."

Irma first started the Irma L. Jepsen Donor Advised Fund with the Community Foundation, using appreciated Norwest Bank stock. She avoided the capital gain she would have paid if she had sold the stock, and received an immediate income tax charitable deduction. She made grants to various charities from this fund during her lifetime.

When Irma passed away in 2001, she left $3.8 million to the Community Foundation. Half of her bequest went to the Community Impact Endowment, from which grants are made each year to meet the highest priority needs in the community. The other half created the Irma L. Jepsen Foundation Fund. Each year, grants are distributed to nonprofits that Irma named. Her fund supports the important work of the Scott County Family Y, Center for Active Seniors, Vera French Foundation, Friends of the Davenport Library, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley. These nonprofits have accomplished much with Irma's generous gifts to them, and are grateful for the ongoing support.