Video: Great-grandmother is tireless volunteer

>>> we leave you this memorial day with a story of a woman hooz live has been all about service. from pitching in to help her country during world war ii up to the present day , volunteering to help kids. irma klatt has never stopped making a difference. here is mikheil almaguer.

>> irma klatt hasn't lost a step. most days, you'll find her in the class room in big sky elementary in billings, montana. at age 84, irma is a full-time volunteer, what is known as a foster grandparents tending most mostly to second graders with special needs . 4 times 4.

>> to these students, she's just grandma.

>> i care for children and they keep me young and healthy. and i couldn't think of a better job.

>> grandma irma has always loved children, maybe in part because of what she went through as a child. at age 4, she became a foster kid.

>> can went from one foster home to another because my father couldn't take care of me.

>> she bounced between eight homes during the height of the depression. at 16, forced to give up school, irma answered her country's call to duty. while the men were away fighting in world war ii , she helped build and repair battleships.

>> that's pretty tough work for a 16-year-old.

>> i didn't think of it that way. i just did it.

>> are you thoprovide of that time?

>> absolutely.

>> this great grandmother knows sacrifice well, her family spans five generations of military veterans .

>> this is my grandfather, a civil war veteran.

>> today her ground daughter carries on the family tradition .

>> i think i pick up a lot of my independence from her. she's kind of a little fire cracker .

>> and an inspiration. irma captures the hearts of students. and the admiration of staff.

>> her whole life has been a life of service in one form of another. but just because you're 84 doesn't mean you have to stop.

>> now in her 16th year in the classroom, the riveter who never graduated high school leads by example. do you ever think about retiring?

>> no, never.

>> a foster grandmother who continues to serve after decades of sacrifice. miguel almaguer, nbc news. billings, montana.

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