Irma M. Bollig
OREGON-Irma M. Bollig, age 88, of Oregon, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at home of natural causes.
She was born on Jan. 23, 1929, in Nazi Munich Germany, the daughter of George and Marie (Braml) Reitberger. Due to economic conditions, Irma spent her first three years being raised by a kind young couple before being returned to her parents.
Irma encountered her first tragedy as a little girl when she was traveling with her parents and her baby brother was killed in a train accident. As a teenager, she experienced the bombings of World War II in Munich when her family home was leveled. After the war ended, she met and married her late husband Jerome Bollig. They were married in 1948, left Germany and traveled to America to begin a new life on a small rural Wisconsin farmstead. This was very challenging for her because she could not speak English and did not know anything of the demands of farm life. Characteristically, she persevered to raise and cherish her family of six children together with her husband.
Irma was a devoted lifelong member of Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church. As her life unfolded and her family matured, she went in search of new challenges. Irma took up child care and then worked for 25 years as a baker for Bill’s Food Center in Oregon. She later went on to work at Kwik Trip until the age 87.
After Jerome’s death in 1989, she moved into the Rolling Meadows neighborhood and learned to enjoy an independent life there. Her favorite hobbies were child care, cooking, cleaning, and shopping, especially for shoes. Irma had many favorite stores, but frequented TJ Maxx. She insisted on driving to further maintain her independence, much to the dismay of her family. Irma also liked to grocery shop where she would often buy the ingredients for her best-ever pies or her delicious potato salad. Irma would also enjoy preparing and cooking surprise meals to leave on her children’s doorsteps. She relaxed by reading magazines, watching QVC, as well as visiting and spending time with relatives and friends. She made the most out of her life by being a strong, unselfish woman and having the “never-give-up” attitude, which remained with her for her entire life. This was often tested when she was faced with one painful medical challenge after another. Irma was never shy to tell it like it was and sometimes shocked people with her lack of a verbal filter.
Most of all, she lived for her family; they were everything to her. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Irma is survived by three sons, Jerry Bollig, Dale (Julie) Bollig and Rick (Lisa) Bollig; three daughters, Linda (Larry) Stokes, Marlene Riesen and Cindy (Doak) Medchill; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; her sister, Resi Rottenwaller, and her son Jossy; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years; and her parents.
A Memorial Mass will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH 651 N. Main St., Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2017. Visitation will be held at church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. A private burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Those who knew Irma will remember her kind smile, the twinkle in her eye, the interest she took in them and what they had to say. She will be deeply missed by all.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park Street
608-835-3515
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