Irmgard Else Schmidt Nigbur

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2020, surrounded by her loved ones.
Irmgard was born July 11, 1923, in Hamburg, Germany to Alfred Schmidt and Anne Naujoks. She was the eighth of eleven children.
Irmgard married Georg Josepf on September 5, 1947, in Hamburg, Germany.
Mom’s younger years were spent in Germany during World War II. It is there she adapted to living on very limited resources. She learned to cook, sew, and create much out of basically nothing. Those knitting and culinary skills were shared and enjoyed by all her loved ones and will be passed on through many generations.
Irmgard and Georg immigrated to the United States in 1953 with their 4 children in tow and pregnant with number five. Once in America, four more children were born, completing their family.
Irmgard worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Mark’s Hospital. She loved being part of the medical community and enjoyed helping others.
Our mother’s humor was a quality we all loved and treasured. She made us laugh daily, and often at her own expense.
Mom loved to travel, especially with her younger sister, Herta. Together they visited many foreign countries and traveled extensively across the United States.
Irmgard had many great loves in life. Music, singing in the German Choir with her brother Werner, all things outdoors, hiking, biking, and swimming. These hobbies were especially enjoyed at her favorite place on earth, Bear Lake. Every summer of our youth, Mom would take all nine children camping at this special place, where we enjoyed time with cousins and extended family. These became the most cherished memories of our lives.
Mom has always been our rock and guiding force, our example in everything and heroic in the way she lived her life.
Irmgard was proud of who she was and where she came from and instilled in us the same.
She taught us to work hard, play hard, enjoy and appreciate the simple things in life…especially “small potatoes”.
Irmgard is survived by Christel Sofonia, Michael Nigbur, Gerd Nigbur, Achim Nigbur, (Robyn) Frank Nigbur, (Esther) Davie Nigbur, (Debbie) Annelee McKean, (Mark) Patricia Nigbur, Michelle Jensen, (Steven) 28 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren and brother, Werner Schmidt.
Preceded in death by husband Georg Josef Nigbur, her mother and father, four brothers and five sisters, son-in-law, Ronnie N. Sofonia and daughter-in-law, Janilee Hill Nigbur.
Our family wishes to express our deep appreciation to those at Sunrise Memory Care in Sandy, Utah for loving and caring for our mother. We would like to acknowledge specifically the many who took the time to develop meaningful relationships with Mom. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You made a difficult situation bearable for us all.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks will be mandatory for all viewing and funeral services.
In lieu of a viewing, Irmgard wanted a party! We will be honoring her with a celebration of life event held Friday, August 21, 2020, at Draper Park North Pavilion (1260 E Constitution Ave Draper, UT  84020) at 6:00 pm. Please join us for dinner and to share your memories of her and celebrate her amazing life. (Don’t forget your masks!)
Service Information

Funeral Service
August 22, 2020 at 11:00 AM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123