Ilse Anna Minkenberg

IIse was born on May 11, 1938 in Langenfeld, Germany to Franz and Hedwig Minkenberg and was the youngest of three siblings. It was a time of social division and suppression of freedoms and democratic rights in Germany. It was a time of tragic loss and sacrifice ending in war. IIse shared stories and memories from her childhood revealing a precocious and independent minded girl.

After graduating from school and completing an apprenticeship she decided to leave Germany in search of a free and democratic country where she would have the chance to develop personally and professionally. At the age of 21 she went to England as an au pair and later immigrated to the United States finding support and encouragement from a cousin in Connecticut. IIse became an au pair once again and worked to learn English and get the education she needed to become a proud American citizen and at the time of her death she had been an American citizen for 60 years. She went on to get an undergraduate degree at Sacred Heart University and a Masters degree in literature at Emory.

IIse worked at AVCO Lycoming for many years in the engineering department providing bilingual services for those working on turbine engines for helicopters, tanks and airplanes. She later worked for the Howmet Corporation in the department of Corporate Communications with extensive travel in the United States and Europe.

Her family was important to her and she traveled to Germany to visit them. Family and friends visited her in the United States exploring the country and Canada. Independent travel took her by car across the country to Yellowstone National Park more than once and to the island of St. George in Florida. She was an avid reader and an artist when it came to quilting and needlework, winning awards in competitions. IIse made many quilts and socks for family and friends and was the seamstress on call for creations, alterations, and repairs.

Old Lyme was home for the past 20 years and IIse loved the area. She ushered at the Ivoryton Playhouse, made a quilt for the children's room at the library where she volunteered, worked at Office Express, frequented the DEEP on the Connecticut River, Ft. Trumbull on the Thames, Harkness Park, Rocky Neck and the concerts at the Coast Guard Academy. She went to the YMCA in Westbrook for years and enjoyed events at the Old Lyme Senior Center.

Ilse was predeceased by her mother, father, sister Annemie and brother, Guenther and sister-in-law Annelise. She is survived in Germany by two nephews, Andreas and Michael and their wives, two great nephews and their wives and one great niece and her husband. Together the greats have added a great, great nephew and two great, great nieces so far. Several long time friends remain in Germany. They are joined here in the United States by her cousin Gretchen Damberg and family, Phyllis Beno and family, the Martone family and many chosen friends and neighbors.

Well done Ilse. We miss you. There are many generations of people who will carry forward memories of you in their minds and hearts. May we honor you with special acts of kindness to others.

Mass will be celebrated at 11 am, June 18, 2025 at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road in Old Lyme, Connecticut.