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Irma Anderl , 87

Jan. 10, 1932 – Oct. 31, 2019

Our mother, grandmother and friend died following a long, happy and productive life that was sadly interrupted at the end by complications from cancer.

Irma, or Miss Irma as she was known to many at the library, had a long and interesting life. She was born to German immigrants in New York and was an only child. Her parents fled hard times in Germany and worked hard to learn English and build productive and successful lives. Irma attended school in New York, ultimately being the first in the family to earn a college degree from Hunter College. Her specialty was early childhood education and those who knew her, knew that she loved children and devoted many aspects of her life to making children’s lives better through reading and soccer.

Irma met her future husband, George, in Germany when she was on vacation there with her parents. They had a long distance courtship until Irma graduated from college and began her teaching career. George came to America and started working, and they married in 1955. They lived on Long Island until 1970. In 1970, after exploring several options, they moved to Coeur d’Alene. The change was hard for her, as she had many dear friends in her little neighborhood, but after a few bumps she started to make new friends and got involved in the community. Her parents followed the family out to Coeur d’Alene a few years later.

A few of the things that brought Irma joy for many years were the Gourmet Group and all the wonderful friends they made there; the Hayden Lake Library, where she spent 27 years reading to little kids and loving every minute of it; shopping (but only if it was on sale); crafting; cooking, baking and entertaining friends and family; and spoiling her grandchildren. One of her greatest passions was soccer, and youth soccer in particular. She essentially brought soccer to Coeur d’Alene, and under her unwavering support and enthusiasm the program flourished. She coached, she raised money, she ordered uniforms. It is fitting and wonderful that the soccer fields at Lake City High School are named in her honor.

She loved drives up to Sandpoint and eating lunch in the restaurant on the lake, and would always come out to the Hayden Lake Country Club for lunch or dinner. She never lost her love of reading and read the Sunday New York Times and the New Yorker Magazine every week, without fail. She loved to get dressed for an occasion and always carefully selected her outfit and accessories for whatever occasion — special or everyday.

George and Irma traveled frequently to Germany to stay connected with family, and also had adventures in Hawaii and Bora Bora, among other places.

Irma was much loved by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, George and her parents, Caspar and Anna. She is survived by her children, Lisa (Matt), Tom (Christine) and Chris; her grandchildren, Hayden (Samantha), Tyler (Erica) and Brooklynn; as well as many cousins and nieces and nephews in Germany.

Contributions in Irma’s memory may be made to Timbers-Thorns North FC, Box 26, Hayden, ID 83835, (soccer) or North Idaho CASA, 1417 N Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

There will be a memorial service held at 2 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2019, at the Hayden Lake Country Club. Please come and share your memories of Irma.