October 31, 1936 - September 16, 2013
EDWARDS, Irmgard ""Irmy"" (Streich) Irmgard ""Irmy"" passed away on September 16, 2013 in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Irmy was born October 31, 1936 in the Ukraine to an ethnic German family. During World War II, the family became war refugees and eventually settled near Bremen, Germany at the end of the war. Her family came to the Americas in 1949 settling in Chewelah, WA. Irmy was a proud alum of Lewis and Clark High School. She met the love of her life Bernard (Bernie) Edwards who was stationed at Fairchild AFB and they were married in December 1956. They were transferred to England in 1960 for three years. They traveled throughout Europe and renewed her ties with her German family members. Upon returning to the States, Irmy and Bernie were stationed at various locations and while in New Hampshire in 1966, her son, Douglas, came into her life. Upon Bernie's retirement from the Air Force in 1971 they settled in Spokane. Irmy was a devoted mother and homemaker volunteering in the school system throughout Douglas's school years. She was the initial ""Martha Stewart"" who loved cooking, gardening, painting, and entertaining family and friends. She, Bernie, Doug and their beloved dog, Beau, camped throughout the Northwest during the summer and snowmobiled in the winter. She loved to travel in their motorhome and crisscrossed the country many times and visited all fifty states. Irmy and Bernie became Snowbirds spending winters in Yuma, AZ where they made many long lasting friends. Irmy proudly served as Social Director for their RV park for many years. She loved watching sports, especially the Mariners and Gonzaga basketball. In addition to traveling, interest in her family heritage consumed a large part of her retirement. She chronicled her memories in a journal which she distributed to family members along with mementos of her time living in Poland and Germany. Irmy became the loving Grandmother of Cody and Austin in 2006 and loved teaching them how to cook their favorite breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and playing Skipbo. Her grandsons were the lights of her life. Irmy is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bernie; her son Douglas and his wife Cindy; along with her grandsons Cody and Austin. Irmy was preceded in death by her Mother and Father (Reinhold and Augustine Streich); her brother Edward; and her sister Elisabeth. Surviving siblings are: Elly Pack (Benny); Erika Streich; Al (Suzie); Linda Merchant; and Henry (Linda); and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial service will be held at Fairmount Memorial Park on October 11, 2013 at 1:00 PM. The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to Hospice of North Idaho in Hayden, Idaho.
