Irmgard Erika Mathilde Hartmann (Duhr)

Our beloved 'Oma' passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC, leaving her daughter, Kim Feltham (Julian Young and Theo), and grandsons Graham Feltham (Carla) and Forrest Feltham (Megan), and joins her husband, Ervin George, who predeceased her Feb. 2022, and son-in-law Steven (Jan.1996). Mum requested no service. An online Gathering will be held on October 25th, 10 am PST, 7 pm Germany-time. Please make a cup of tea and join us to share some memories; contact [email protected] if you would like to receive the Zoom link. In lieu of flowers please donate to the BC Women's and Children's Hospital, where Mum was a volunteer with the Auxiliary for 25 years.

My mother Irmgard was born on a small farm in the village of Herrenhausen, in Northern Germany. She grew up there and in the city of Oldenburg, where the family lived during the war, near her grandmother. In school she excelled at languages, English and French, and was an avid reader, with meticulous handwriting. Mum met Ervin George Hartmann at a Saturday dance when they both worked at farms in Ekwarden, by the North Sea. After that, for two years Irmgard worked as a live-in Nanny for two children in the countryside in England, and then returned to Germany to help out at the farm, while studying to become a children’s nurse. No stranger to hard work, she was at the hospital Monday to Saturday, and then rode her bike many kilometres on the cobblestone roads home to the farm where she helped out on Sundays. Meanwhile, Ervin, ambitious and looking for opportunity, had decided to emigrate to Canada, working his way across the country and ending up in Whitehorse, where there was a strong German community. Many letters were exchanged between Canada and England, and Canada and Germany, and finally Dad was ready to say “Come here and marry me-it’s a good life in the Yukon”.

After leaving Bremerhaven on a ship, sailing two weeks to Montreal, then by train across the country to Edmonton, and a 10-hour flight to Whitehorse, Irmgard arrived on a very cold December 20th in 1954 and was whisked away by friends Anne and Konrad to get ready to get married that afternoon. That evening, in -50 Celsius cold, the newlyweds drove over 100 miles to Carmacks where Ervin was temporarily in charge of the Hudson’s Bay General Store, and the store stove could not be allowed to go out in that kind of weather! Their first home was a one-room cabin with no electricity or running water. Mum had to take a bucket out to the river to get water from a hole in the ice. It takes alot of gumption to get through that kind of adventure, and that’s what Mum had, gumption! Mum’s best friend from nursing school, Martha and her husband followed soon after and emigrated to Whitehorse, and then Martha’s brother and his wife and baby. They together made a wonderful life in their adopted country, helping to found the first Lutheran church in the Yukon, driving many thousands of miles through the Yukon and Alaska on road trips, and raising their families.

11 years later, with 4-year-old Kim in tow, the family of three drove to Vancouver to start a new life in the big city. Mum was a fastidious homemaker and created a beautiful and welcoming home. She was not an avid cook, but she made roladen and dumplings, Christmas stollen, and Streusel Kuchen especially well. As Dad climbed the career ladder in finance and accounting, she was the half of the team that kept the home life running smoothly. As strongly committed church members they participated in every capacity at Redeemer Lutheran in Vancouver, from singing in the choir, reading the lessons, preparing the coffee and tea after service, and joining in social activities. Mum was particularly fond of providing the flowers for the altar on Sundays and doing the flower arranging, for which she had a particular talent. Working with seniors and many other groups kept her busy. Other volunteering was at the Red Cross, and after the grandchildren were born, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Auxiliary Cart and Gift Shop for 25 years, where she made many friends, and from which she retired at 85. Many friends recall her friendly face greeting them after a birth of a child.

Kim and Steven Feltham were married in 1985, and Graham was born in 1988 and Ryan (now Forrest) in 1989. After Steven died tragically in 1996, Oma and Opa were pillars of support for Kim and the boys, visiting often where they lived in Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. When the boys were teens the three moved to Vancouver for Kim to attend Library School at UBC, and they lived on the campus, 10 minutes drive from the grandparents. Sunday dinners were a tradition. And the boys loved their "German lunches" with Oma and Opa.

Mum and Dad loved being in Nature and to hike and camp and each summer there was at least one 2-week trip in BC. Sunday walks in Stanley Park were a tradition. They also travelled many times back to Germany and once to England to visit relatives and friends. Mum loved to see new things, travel and have fun. Favourite places to visit were Whitehorse (of course!), Penticton, San Diego, Hawaii, Mexico, Victoria and Toronto. They also went to Australia a few times for Dad’s work and vacation. They enjoyed hosting family and friends particularly from Germany at their home in Vancouver, giving many city tours and advice to travellers from far and wide. They also hosted ‘adopted’ daughters who lived with them for extended stays during their college years, as well as godchildren and nieces and nephews and many others whom they helped.

Mum was a caregiver. She was the most thoughtful and attentive nurse, a kind and thoughtful visitor to the sick and shut-in, loyal to friends and always thinking of how she could help. Mum was also a networker. She kept in touch by writing and telephone and never missed a birthday or special occasion. She loved children and animals, and celebrated each new addition to the clan. She had a knack for finding just the right thoughtful word, card or gift for people and had a keen interest in the well-being of others. She liked to laugh and share stories, and connect people and keep on top of what was going on in the world and with everyone she knew. Although she struggled with depression at times, feeling lonely and struggling to cope, we always knew how much she loved us and thought about us.

Mum and Dad were season’s subscribers to the Vancouver symphony, and liked to attend musical theatre. Mum's all-time hero was Terry Fox, and she participated in the annual run well into her ‘80s.

George and Irmgard were blessed with good health up until their 90s. With their friendly smiles, they could be seen walking many kilometres each day throughout Kerrisdale until 2018 and then around their new home at Tapestry UBC. When serious health issues arose, Kim moved them to Victoria to long term care nearby where she and Julian were living. Dad passed away in February 2022 from complications from pneumonia. Mum was lonely without him and her dementia progressed, although she was very comfortable and well-cared for at Sunrise Senior Living. Forrest especially kept her laughing during his weekly visits. When there was music, she often was up dancing with Julian or a caregiver!

A great gift was that Oma was able to attend Forrest and Megan’s wedding in Shawnigan Lake in June 2022, which Carla and Graham also attended from California, so the family was together. This August, after a couple of falls and a head injury, she was in palliative care for 6 days after which she passed away pain-free and peacefully in her cozy room. Forrest, Megan, Julian and I were able to spend many hours at her side as she made her transition and let go. We imagine her now dancing to some Strauss waltzes or rousing polkas with Dad in heaven! We love you, Oma!