Irmgard E. Ziss

Irmgard Ziss was born by the Baltic Sea on November 19, 1933, in the little village of Lundendoff, East Prussia, to Richard and Auguste Schley. World War II separated the couple; Irmgard’s early childhood was spent under the cruelty of Russian occupation. In 1948, Irmgard and her mother managed a harrowing escape across the Iron Curtain. In West Germany, Irmgard was finally reunited with her father, who had been released as a prisoner of war only the year prior.

The family lived happily together in the village of Celle for nine years. When Irmgard left for the United States, she was only intending to be away for a single year, but the exciting trip became the beginning chapter of a new life. In Chicago, Irmgard met a handsome, generous young man named Peter Ziss, who had recently immigrated to the United States from Austria. The two fell in love, were married, and together had a son, Ron Ziss.

Irmgard built a rich life alongside her husband, and after his retirement, the two enjoyed traveling the world together. However, in 2008, a cancer diagnoses of Multiple Myeloma promised Irmgard a life expectancy of only four short years. Yet Irmgard would go on to battle this cancer for almost twenty years. In her later years, she would be fighting not just for herself, but for Peter too, as he struggled with Alzheimer’s.

Besides her strength and kindness, Irmgard will be remembered as an incredible artist. Though she was never able to formally pursue art as a career, it remained a release for her emotions. Irmgard’s legacy includes the vast beauty of her work: hand-crafted jewelry, silk and fabric paintings, poetry, sketches, and breathtaking pastel scenes that seamlessly blend reality with dream.

Irmgard is preceded by the love of her life, Peter Ziss, doting husband of sixty-eight years, who she could not live without.

Irmgard is survived by her brother and sister in-laws, Gerhard and Margaret Ziss; her wonderful nephews, Bobby and Gary Ziss; her beloved son, Ron Ziss; and her dear grandchildren, Margaux and Keith Ziss.

Irmgard will be remembered by all for her resilience, her thoughtfulness, and her artistic spirit.

Visitation Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 North Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625. Funeral Service Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 10:30am at the funeral home. Fore more information, please call (773) 561-6874.