BEIERLE, Irmgard (geb. Sommerfeld)

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We are deeply saddened to announce the peaceful passing of the much loved Irmgard Beierle on the morning of October 14, 2023, at the age of 83 lovingly surrounded by family. Irmgard will be dearly and deeply missed by her family, friends, and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

She will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 64 years Theodor; sons Rich Beierle (Anita Juska), and Thom (Cindy) Beierle, and daughter Sue Mannix (Larry Gunn); six grandchildren, Steven Beierle (Jordan Sterling), Kayla (Leland) Bathgate, Mike (Hillary) Beierle, Jenn Mannix, Justine (Fabien) Berger, Kristen Beierle (Sam Willicome); three great-grandchildren, William Bathgate, Kane and Cohen Beierle.

Irmgard is also survived by her sisters Frieda Reitz, and Ingrid Gutsche, and brother Ted Sommerfeld (Lorna Schroeder), many extended family members, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Viktoria and Reinhold Sommerfeld, brothers Viktor and Fritz, nephew Rob Reitz, and brother-in-law Walter Reitz.

Irmgard was born November 7, 1939 in Tariverde, Dobrudscha, Romania.  In 1940 the family was relocated to Germany until 1942. Then they were moved to what was then Czechoslovakia until 1945. They lived in Germany until 1956 then immigrated to Canada for a better life.

After working on a sugar beet farm near Monarch, Alberta, the family moved to Calgary, and in 1958 she met Theo and they married in 1959. Together with their three kids, they lived in Calgary, the farm near Leslieville, the acreage near Airdrie, and then Kelowna, BC in 1980.

She helped prepare dining areas at the Calgary Palliser Hotel in the 1950s. For a time she worked at the mushroom plant in Airdrie.  She was a final finisher at ATCO structures in Calgary, and at Chaparral Homes in Kelowna.

Mom and Dad loved to camp, explore new places, and visit friends and family in Western Canada. They took trips to Germany, Europe, and Hawaii.

It was very important to her to keep in touch with the people in her life. She had a master list of birthdays and anniversaries that she looked at only when she couldn’t remember the exact date. She would send out cards decorated with stickers never missing someone’s special day. She also kept every card given to her and Theo.

A few times a week, Mom and Dad would meet Frieda at the mall for coffee and then lunch. Sometimes other coffee friends would come too.

At night while they watched TV, Mom would knit washcloths. She said she had to keep her hands busy. Anyone who visited took home some or a lot of them.

At every family gathering, it was guaranteed that there would be delicious food served. We would play Crapola and she always said “House Rules” when something was questionable. She would laugh and giggle at the antics around the table by the players. We had to make a “no food on the table rule” because she wanted us to eat something.

She had a very green thumb with everything – roses, orchids, houseplants – they all thrived under her care. In the very large gardens in Kelowna and Airdrie, there would be all sorts of vegetables that were stored over the winter or canned for the family to use later.

Irmgard cherished family above everything else. Never to seek the limelight, she worked tirelessly to make sure everyone was fed and happy whenever you were a guest in her home. She was always more concerned about everyone else more so than herself.

Mom was the cornerstone of our family. Kind, generous, and beautiful with endless patience. She loved her family and was compassionate with her words and actions. She enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting, crocheting, and gardening. She never turned down a chance to dance to a polka or waltz in the kitchen with Theo. She loved being a Mom, an Oma, and a great-Oma. She was a wonderful wife, sister, daughter, Tante, cousin and friend. There is a hole in our hearts, and she will be greatly missed.

Irmgard received exceptional care at Kelowna General Hospital in her last hours with us. Thank you to the caring Doctors and nurses in ER trauma room. And a special thank you to our ICU nurse Bruce who we now call Bruce Almighty for his compassion, friendship, and hugs during our toughest time.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice at the request of Irmgard.

A Memorial Reception will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 2:00 PM, at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

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