Irma T. Barcellos

Irma Theresa Barcellos was born on the 28th of May, 1928, to Franz and Elisabeth Ries. She was the youngest of three children (Elisabeth and Georg). Born and raised in the Munich area of Germany, Irma attended Catholic school and excelled in academics. Her education was interrupted by the heavy Allied bombing during World War II. During that time she became very ill because of contaminated food. Shortly afterward her mother died from thyroid disease due to medicine shortages.

Irma truly enjoyed the peace and prosperity of the post-war years. In 1957 she met Joe Barcellos, the love of her life. He was stationed in Germany as part of the U.S. Army. They married in 1958 and in 1959 they came to the United States. Irma was fascinated by the massive grandeur of America. She and Joe would return to Germany several more times as part of his Army tours of duty and they would travel through much of Western Europe.

When Joe retired to Colorado in 1971, Irma worked on and became a United States citizen. She was proud of her new citizenship; she loved the history and the institution of the United States and that of Colorado. Irma believed in the U.S. Constitution and became an ardent defender of the freedoms it granted.

She loved her German home state of Bavaria as well as Austria, the Alps and Tyrol. Similarly she loved the Colorado Rocky Mountains and the Pikes Peak region.

Irma’s hobbies included baking, cooking, classical music, embroidery, sewing and reading. She also enjoyed visiting cultural and historical sites. She was an excellent homemaker and gracious hostess. She was a role model for home economics and provided a comfortable lifestyle while maximizing opportunities for her children.

Irma died on the 4th of March, 2017, with her family at her bedside. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth and husband Timothy (Dienst); her son Joseph and wife Bernardine; and her nephew Josef Huber and wife Edith as well as their beautiful family. Her husband Joe preceded her in death in March 2015.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, March 10th, 2017 at Holy Apostles Catholic Church. Mass begins at 10:00 a.m., with Rosary preceding the Mass at 9:30 a.m.. Private interment will take place at Fort Logan Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Assistance League of Colorado Springs, or Disabled American Veterans.