Obituary: Wormuth, Irma Marie
Age 88
Irma Marie Wormuth passed away from natural causes complicated by Diabetes.
Irma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and true friend to many.
She loved having her hands in the earth.
Her four greatest passions were grandchildren, gardening, canning, and cooking.
She loved being close to her home, friends, family and God.
Irma was born in Winner, South Dakota February 10, 1924 living a fun-filled yet rugged childhood.
She rode horseback to and from school everyday attending a one room schoolhouse.
The family moved to Coeur d’ Alene, ID in 1935 but her father could not find work.
They returned to Winner.
One year later they returned to Idaho settling near Post Falls, all five of them and their worldly possessions in one car.
Irma graduated from high school in 1941; she was never absent or tardy in four years.
She then got a job thinning apples in a local orchard for 15 cents an hour.
It was there she met the love of her life, Ray.
He received her attention by tossing little green apples at her.
When she turned 18, she bravely moved to Washington D.C.
The trip took five days and four nights.
After passing the Civil Service Exam Irma worked for the U.S. Navy.
In January 1943 Irma returned to Post Falls with Ray on leave from the U.S. Marine Corps.
They were married January 18, 1943 at the home of Ray’s parents in East Farms.
They then moved to Bremerton, WA to work at the Navy Ammunition Depot.
Irma returned to Spokane when Ray was sent to the South Pacific.
At the end of WWII Irma and Ray began their family in Spokane with the births of Edward in ‘47, Sharon in ‘49 and Diane in ‘51.
In 1953 Irma’s family moved to Almira, WA where Irma began her career as a Bank Teller.
It was here they became a scouting family with the kids in Boys and Girl Scouts.
Mom and Dad served as Scout Leaders.
Irma also began her 58 years of service to The Order of the Eastern Star.
They were active members of the local Methodist Church where Irma taught Sunday and Bible School.
The family boated during many fun summers with friends on Banks Lake and Lake Roosevelt.
This group of families affectionately referred to themselves as the ABCDE (Almira Boat Club Darned Exclusive!)
In 1964 the family moved to Nezperce, ID establishing themselves into life on the Camas Prairie.
Irma quickly affiliated herself with the new town bank as a teller and continued her lifelong relationship with Eastern Star.
As a family they extended their love affair with boating and fishing on Dworshak Reservoir.
The three children completed their K-12 schooling years, Sharon and Diane graduated from the University of Idaho and married, Ed joined the U.S. Army.
In 1978 Irma and Ray moved to Greenacres, WA for their retirement years.
They became deeply involved with Eastern Star, the Masons, and Square Dancing as members of the Pistols and Petticoats.
Irma became Worthy Matron of the Magnolia Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; to her Star Sisters she was truly committed.
She joyfully served for many years in the Trinity Chapter, Order of Amaranth.
Throughout all of her service, she established lifelong friendships that meant the world to her.
Irma and Ray also acted as Camp Hosts in Alaska and Washington.
With grit and grace, Irma maintained the family home on Barker Road for 15 years after Ray’s passing.
With her live-in son, Edward, together they maintained the house, yard and large garden.
Irma continued her extensive involvement with Eastern Star, Amaranth and her church family.
Beyond this she joined Oz Fitness and participated in weekly Water Aerobics until this past July.
She loved her Zags, GO ZAGS!
And finally, she loved and lived a quote from a high school Teacher, “eat it up, wear it out, make it do!”
With appreciation the family thanks, Kim Blumhagen, R.N.
of “Kim’s House” for Irma’s care the last two weeks of her life.
We also thank the Hospice House of Spokane visiting staff that made it possible for Irma to have a peaceful passage.
Irma was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond E. McEachran and Pauline (Kupke) McEachran; sister, Betty Kasparian and brother, Lloyd McEachran; husband, Raymond.
Surviving Irma are her three children, Edward L. Wormuth, Sharon R. Bentz and her husband, Jonathan, Diane M. Syron and her husband, Alan; five Grandchildren and five Great-Grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with reception to follow in the Church Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given on behalf of Irma Wormuth to the American Diabetes Foundation for research.
Final arrangements provided by the Neptune Society, Spokane, WA.
Inurnment will occur at the Washington Veteran’s Cemetery, Medical Lake, WA at a later date.