Obituary of Irmgard Elsa Lumpe

Irmgard Elsa Lumpe

(April 24, 1926 - June 1, 2019)

Irmgard Elsa Lumpe of Hay Lakes, Alberta, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at the age of 93 years.

Irmgard was born April 24, 1926 in Mittweida, Germany to Elsa and Paul Müller. She was the second child with an older brother Heinz and younger sister Inge. Growing up, she enjoyed learning how to bake and cook in Home Economics classes in school. She went on to Agricultural School and then to work. In her spare time, she enjoyed going to symphony concerts, the opera, live theatre, and listening to organ music.  

For some time, Irmgard corresponded with a young man, Bernhard Lumpe, in Canada. Bernhard knew Irmgard was the “right one” for him and arranged for Irmgard to come to Canada. In 1953, Irmgard travelled with Eva (friend) to Canada enduring the rough seas before docking in Montreal on May 10th. After arriving in Edmonton, Irmgard remained in Edmonton while Eva travelled on.  Irmgard stayed with Leonard and Waltraud Lumpe (Bernhard’s brother and sister-in-law) and on    September 5, 1953 Irmgard and Bernhard were married in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Edmonton, Alberta.  

Irmgard and Bernhard’s first home was in Rabbit Hill, Alberta. Their first daughter, Rebecca was born and knowing they would need a larger home, they built a new house in Jasper Place in 1959. Their second daughter Bernice arrived four years after Rebecca and their son, Ralph four years after Bernice. In 1965, they purchased a farm in the Hay Lakes area. Farming, maintaining a household, and raising children was not an easy life but Irmgard often had a song in her heart and would sing, whistle, or hum a tune.

The arrival of her grandchildren Melissa and Christina (Ralph), and Scott (Margot) gave her much joy as she was now an “Oma”. There were many fond babysitting memories of tea parties, dress up, baking, cooking, and gardening. During the time when the cows were calving, she had inventive ways to keep the grandchildren occupied with baking.

 
With Irmgard’s family in Europe, Bernhard’s relatives and many life-long friends became Irmgard’s “family” in Canada. In Germany she is survived by Inge Eckardt (sister) and her nephews Christoph Eckardt, Klaus Eckardt, Frieder Eckardt, and Heinz’s son, Bernd Müller. In Canada, she is survived by her children Rebecca Meyers, Bernice Tallin (Gary), and Ralph Meyers (Margot); her grandchildren Melissa Rambeau, Christina Meyers, and Scott Stotyn; and her niece Marion Labrie.  She cherished her friendship with Mrs. Rita Lutz (a friend for over 65 years) and with the many relatives and friends who became her “family” in Canada. Irmgard was predeceased by her husband Bernhard; brother Heinz Müller; brother-in-law Joachim Eckardt; and sister-in-law Ursula Müller.     

A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2019 from the Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Hay Lakes with Rev. Donald Bolstad officiating. Interment has taken place in the Our Saviour Lutheran Cemetery.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Irmgard's memory may be made to the Canadian Red Cross Society.