Irmgard Wehri

Irmgard Wehri, formerly of Hebron, passed away at the age of 99 on January 29, 2024, at Richardton Health Center.

Funeral mass will be on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 10:30 am at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Hebron. Both the service and prayer service will be livestreamed on this page. 

Visitation will take place on Thursday from 4-6:00 PM at the church, with a prayer service starting at 6:00 pm.

Following the funeral service, Irmgard will be laid to rest at St. Clement's Cemetery, Haymarsh, ND.

Irmgard Wehri was born on April 5, 1924, in Breslau, Germany, to the late Max and Katherine (Boettger) Koenig. As a child, she attended Catholic school and later pursued higher education. Irmgard's dedication to education led her to become a kindergarten teacher in Breslau.

During the chaos of war, Irmgard had to take on various roles within the community, as all the men had been sent to war. She tirelessly worked for the government, from picking stones in the field to collecting money for street cars and buses. Despite facing tremendous difficulties, her resilience and determination shone through, as the family lost their home during the war and moved often and lived in tough conditions.

In a twist of fate, Irmgard met an American soldier, Bruno Wehri, who captured her heart. On January 28, 1946, they married in Germany. Shortly after, Bruno returned to the United States, but due to immigration laws, Irmgard had to remain in Germany for an additional 21 months. However, their enduring love prevailed, and once reunited, they built a life together in Hebron, North Dakota.

They first lived with Bruno’s parents and helped on the farm. Irmgard and Bruno then settled on the Fred Treiber west farm for a time and eventually they moved to the Assumption Abbey farm, continuing their passion for farming and raising their family. After 23 years, they transitioned into Hebron, purchasing the Brick City Motel, which they owned and operated together. Bruno passed away in 2006. Irmgard eventually moved to Bismarck for a few years before moving to Richardton. In 2018, she moved to the Richardton Health Center, where she made special bonds with the residents and caregivers.

Irmgard was a woman of many talents and passions. She nurtured beautiful gardens. Sewing was another skill she mastered, crafting countless outfits for her children, including her daughter's wedding dresses and matching ensembles for her granddaughters' dolls. Her crochet work adorned her loved ones with warmth and love, with each child and grandchild receiving their own treasured blanket. She also found solace and joy in playing the piano, and her Scrabble skills were unparalleled, making her a formidable opponent to beat.

In her later years, Irmgard embraced technology, learning to navigate computers and even joining the digital world by creating a Facebook account at the age of 90. Her zest for life and sense of humor remained steadfast, showcased through her infectious laughter and witty remarks. The staff at Richardton Health Center lovingly dubbed her the "Party Girl," as she brought joy and laughter to all who had the pleasure of caring for her.

Irmgard Wehri leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and resilience. She will be deeply missed by her sons Howard (SanDee) of Glen Ullin, ND, Gordon (Miyoko) of Lawton, OK, and her daughters Adele (Jerry) Sigl of St. Regis, MT, and Mary Ann (Lenard) Luithle of Richardton. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, who were fortunate enough to witness and experience her unconditional love.

Preceding Irmgard in death were her beloved husband Bruno, her daughter Laura Lowe, her parents Max and Katherine, as well as two brothers and one sister.