Irmgard Emma (Wiedmayer) Leitner, 88, passed away peacefully in her home on February 19, 2023 surrounded by her three children, some of her grandchildren, and great grandchildren after a slow decline after having hip replacement surgery in January. Irmgard was better known by most of her family and friends as Oma which means grandmother in German.
Family and friends knew Oma as a true matriarch, the “rock” of her family. She was a natural protector and served as the glue that bonded her family together always offering warmth, kindness, generosity, and guardianship. She served as a beacon of love and light to everyone around her offering a sincere smile, gentle hand, and joyous laughter to all who knew her. She loved her family greatly and spent a lot of quality time with them eating, drinking, and taking trips to various destinations but often times they had a nod to her German heritage. Germania Park in Dover and Riedlbauers (a German Resort in the Catskill Mountains, NY) were two of her favorite destinations.
Oma married Wendell Leitner on February 26, 1954 in Schloss Kirche “Castle Church” in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The two met in 1953 where she worked in a kitchen as a cook for the Governor of Friedrichshafen and Wendell came every night to buy milk. In 1956, Oma took two suitcases, her two oldest children Angelika and Erich and immigrated across the Atlantic Ocean to Paterson, NJ under a sponsorship of her husband’s parents, it took weeks to arrive on boat, and she was seasick everyday trying to take care of two small children less than two years old.
Oma was an incredibly hard worker. She farmed alongside her father as a child which was very labor intensive back breaking work until she came to America in 1956. She worked at Nabisco, a hot cookie and snack factory, for 34 years until she retired in 1996. She also cleaned a variety of homes and businesses since arriving in the United States. She cleaned Mead-Wilbert a burial vault company in Wayne, NJ for close to 60 years and didn’t fully retire from working altogether until she was 86 years old. Oma was a natural caretaker and lover of nature, animals, and her family. She had all of her grandchildren live with her at one point in their lives and had many German Shepherds and Dobermans over the course of her life, most of them with the name of Heidi, of course it had to be a German dog with a German name! Chloe, her cat, was her last companion and best friend. She spent a lot of time with her in the last years of her life, where she would sit on her lap while Oma watched wrestling, soccer, or Judge Judy on television. She could often be found buying corn at Agway to feed the deer in her backyard.
Oma loved her homeland country of Germany and introduced many traditions to her family from her heritage. She taught her grandchildren and great grandchildren how to make Christmas butter cookies or “cutouts” as she called them, cheer for the German soccer team, loved to listen to German songs and read a German newspaper called Das Fenster in the morning when she woke up. When Germany won the World Cup in 2014, this was one of the highlights for her. She also always made sure to have a German pickle ornament on her Christmas tree that children in her family would love to search for and sang German Christmas songs with her family prior to opening their gifts. Kling, Glöckchen, klingelingeling meaning “Ring Little Bell” was her favorite. Oma was an avid gardener and loved being outside. Geraniums were one of her favorite flowers and worked hard to ensure they would grow “big and tall” in her garden. She was a long-time member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Hackettstown and would often watch Easter and Christmas mass on television.
Irmgard is pre-deceased by her father Hermann Wiedmayer and mother Anna (Thumm) Wiedmayer, husband Wendell, sisters Melitta, Anneliese, and Thekla, son-in-law, Thomas Fabian, grandson-in-law, Greg Garzio husband of Kristina. She is survived by her brother Robert who lives in Wilhelmsdorf Germany, 3 children, Angelika, Erich, and Frank and his wife Tammy, 7 grandchildren: David, Ronnie and his wife Tiffany, Kristina, Erica and her husband Nathan, , Mathew and his wife Cait, , Monica and her husband David, , and Frankie and his partner Torian, and 14 great grandchildren: Kathryn, Tyler, Aleena, Talan, Koltt, Braelyn, Bronson, Tiernan, Eamon, Maximus, Calum, Kroy, Brooke, and Ash.
The famous poet Maya Angelou stated that “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Oma was a true ambassador of this quote every step of her life. She always had a genuine warmth about her and kindness that made everyone feel welcome and loved after interacting with her. Anyone who knew Oma would know she wouldn’t want you getting emotional over her departure. She would want you to have a shot of Crown Royal, tell the same old stories, and share memories of your time together singing Ein Prosit! and laughing.
The funeral will be held 10:00 am on Monday, February 27 at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, N.J. with Pastor Tim Drawbaugh officiating. Burial will be in Pequest Union Cemetery, Great Meadows following services.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 26 from 3-7 pm at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, N.J..
For those wishing to leave online condolences, please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
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Crystal, Kathryn & Tyler says
February 22, 2023 at 10:37 pmOMA; undoubtedly the purest of souls. So very grateful for your love and kindness always and unconditionally. My children inherited your compassion and your dynamic. We are so truly blessed to have been a part of you. Sleep in peace, forever in our hearts and our memories.
Colleen Smith Hughes says
March 1, 2023 at 6:17 amDear Angie and family, sending thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom. What a blessing and precious memories she left you with. Blessings, Colleen
Angelika Leitner says
April 4, 2023 at 1:09 amDear Colleen
Thank you for your kind words and thoughtfulness. We were very blessed to be able to share nearly 89 years of memories and blessings. Love u Angie
Angelika Leitner says
April 4, 2023 at 1:07 amThank you for your kind words. She loves you all very much and yes I pray she will rest in eternal peace ❤️
Angelika Leitner says
April 4, 2023 at 1:39 amDear Crystal, Kathryn and Tyler
Thank you for your love and kind words. My mother loved you all tremendously. And yes her love for everyone was unconditional and accepting. God was good to us in allowing us to have her nearly 89 years. Sending appreciation and hugs. Angie and Erich Leitner
Mark an Michela Sherman says
February 23, 2023 at 6:54 pmFrank an Family
Michela an I would like to give you our deepest condolences in these difficult times. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Sylvia Meier says
February 24, 2023 at 12:10 amMy heart goes out to all Irmgard’s people. ❤️❤️❤️She must have felt so loved by so many. Tante Irmgard was a rock. She gave me nuggets of encouragement in my life. I will remember her wit, frankness and dedication to her family.
Angelika Leitner says
April 4, 2023 at 1:12 amDear Sylvia
Can’t thank you enough for your support and understanding and thoughtfulness in our long journey with my mother. You’ve been there throughout from beginning to end. Live you Cousin. Angie and Erich
John and Anna Marie Schwartz says
February 24, 2023 at 12:25 amOur deepest condolences to all of you. Oma was a very sweet and kind person. She will be missed! Love and prayers..
Angelika Leitner says
April 4, 2023 at 1:14 amDear John and Marie
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers in the loss of our beloved mother. She will be dearly missed. God bless you guys. Angelika n Erich Leitner
J. Beckert says
February 24, 2023 at 12:49 amOma was a wonderful person and she left you all with so many cherished traditions and memories. Angie, Erich, Frank and your families are all in my prayers. You were all lucky to have such a wonderful woman in your lives.
Angelika Leitner says
April 4, 2023 at 1:18 amDear Joey
Thank you for your kind words and presence in the loss of our precious mother. God has been very good to us in being able to share nearly 89 years with her. She was the rock of our family and we have truly lost a legend. Love Angie and Erich Leitner
Angelika Leitner says
April 4, 2023 at 1:22 amDear Joey
Thank you for your kind words and presence in the loss of our precious mother. God has been very good to us in being able to share nearly 89 years with her. She was the rock of our family and we have truly lost a legend. Love Angie and Erich Leitner.
Cindy and Steve Tomeo says
February 24, 2023 at 7:05 pmSteve and I send our heartfelt condolences at the loss of your beloved Oma. She left everyone with something more valuable than gold – cherished memories that will stay with you always and so much love.
Angelika Leitner says
April 4, 2023 at 1:27 amDear Cindy and Steve,
Thank you for your kind words. My mother was Oma to everyone and made friends with anyone she met. She loved life and people and the simple things in life. We shall miss her dearly. Love Angie and Erich Leitner
Daniel E Oneill says
February 25, 2023 at 11:43 amSo sorry for your loss. The obituary was an amazing story of an amazing woman. Although Irma. My late father and whendal were friends. And I remember deer hunting behind there property back in the mid 70s. And later in life talking to frank at wrestling matches when my son was a h.s. wrestler. My your great matriarch rest in peace. Daniel. Bucky oneill.
Jacque Rogers says
February 28, 2023 at 11:08 pmFrank, Erich, Angie and all your families, I am so saddened to hear of Oma’s passing. She was so kind and loving; so strong and compassionate. She always had that big smile which made me and everyone else around her, smile. She was a true Matriarch. Her love for all of her family was endless. Cherish the memories and the laughs. Oma will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Angelika Leitner says
April 4, 2023 at 1:33 amDear Jacque
Yes we have lost our Matriarch. She loved her extended family as much as her immediate one. You were a part of that. She was indeed one of the strongest women I’ve ever been around. I pray God gives us half of that strength to move forward without her in our lives. I find peace and take great comfort in knowing she is truly where she wants to be. Sending hugs. Love Angie and Erich Leitner
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