Irmgard Emilie (Hillenbrand) Rupp

Rupp, Irmgard Emilie (Hillenbrand) MADISON- Irmgard Emilie (Hillenbrand) Rupp, known as Irma, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 6, 2015, in her home. She was born on March 10, 1933, in Plankstadt, Germany, the third of four children born to Hans and Elise (Glass) Hillenbrand. She married Artur E. Rupp on Nov. 4, 1950, and together they celebrated 51 years of marriage before he passed away on Dec. 14, 2001. Irma spent her working life beginning and ending with housework for families, some of whom she had as clients for almost 30 years. Her private life centered around her home, family, friends, and activities such as playing bingo, cards and cribbage. She had a great sense of humor and loved jokes of all types. Until her eyesight began to fail, she was an avid reader and, during the past three years, substituted that with watching old movies, particularly those dealing with historical events. Irma claimed she was a homebody and really didn’t need to leave her house, but not being able to drive was one of her biggest losses. In her early 70s, she drove from Madison to Seattle, Wash., to visit family and she stated that it was the best vacation of her life…she didn’t have to listen to anyone (translate that to husband and kids) argue over speeding, when to stop for the night, what food to eat, when to eat, what to see, what not to see; in other words, she did it her way. She stayed in contact with her family in Germany through letters, telephone calls and visits lasting up to six weeks at a time. Irma also enjoyed special friendships with; Ginny, Diane and Virginia. Irma is survived by her three children, Brigitte Rupp Vacha, Harald (Cheryl) Rupp and William (Karen) Rupp; grandchildren, Robert, Sonja, Erika, Travis, Christopher, Anthony, Kelly and Nathan; great-grandchildren, Alecia, David, William, Hayden, Reid, Kayne, Payton, Emma and Oliver; her sisters, Betty Sorn of Hemsbach, Germany and Erika Wesch of Weinheim, Germany; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Hans Hillenbrand and Johann Eckmayer; and her closest friend of over 50 years, Maria Weinman Feeney. A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 12 p.m., on Friday, April 10, 2015. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens. Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Schüss, Mom, bis wir uns wieder sehen! Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420