It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Irmgard Lehn at the age of 82. She was predeceased by her parents, Theodor and Agnes Schroeder; brother Edgar; and sister Ingrid. Irmgard is survived by her husband Waldemar; children, Marlis (David), Peter (Méliné), and Nicola (Tom); grandchildren, Natasha, Kristjan, Stefan, Maija, Tyra, Sophie, Erik, Géza, and Alex; and her sister Marlis.

 

Irmgard's parents emigrated from southern Russia to Canada in 1924 and they settled in the Niverville (St. Adolphe) area in 1930. She went to school in St. Adolphe, which was a residential school for Métis as well as a French convent for girls. After graduating, she left the farm and studied History and Education at the University of Manitoba.

 

From early childhood, Sundays were spent at the First Mennonite Church of Winnipeg and there she built friendships that lasted a lifetime. Most importantly, it was where she first met her future husband. They were married on Easter Monday in 1963 and spent 59 joyful years together.

 

Their many travels to Europe inspired Irmgard to pursue research into Viking history. This eventually led to collaboration with her husband in solving some of the great mysteries, such as the origin of the hafgerdingar, or sea hedges, described in the medieval King’s Mirror.

 

In later years, Irmgard spent several years sharing her love of history as a volunteer at the Museum of Man and Nature. She also volunteered with the Morija Circle at church and enthusiastically played bridge with several groups, where she enlarged her circle of friends.

 

Irmgard loved spending time at the cottage and with her grandchildren. She was always eager for a game of competitive scrabble or cribbage, or spending time sharing her thoughts on historical events and current world politics. She took pleasure in hearing about the grandchildren’s interests and was always supportive of their endeavours and adventures. The grandchildren from near and afar will deeply miss spending fun filled hours with their beloved Oma.

 

A Funeral Service will take place at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 28, 2022 at 603 Wellington Crescent by Academy Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Mennonite Central Committee: donate.mcccanada.ca

 

Irmgard's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.