Irmgard Rückel

Liebe Mom,  you will be missed immensely.
I am happy to know that you lived your life to the fullest and had no regrets.
Last week when I had to notify people of your passing, I was reminded how many people you made friends with in the many times you visited us in the US.  Friends living across the US -- in NY, NJ, AZ, NC, FL and HI. Talking to them, I realized what joy you brought to them over almost 40 years. Even the early years with language being a bit of a problem did not stop you from talking with them and making friends.

There are many stories that I was told and none were surprising.  This was you, every time!  A lot of them were just as surprised as us since they just talked to you and, in the end, it was unexpected, especially after beating Covid twice and being in such great shape the last couple of months.

My thanks go out to the staff at the Gottfried, where she spent the last year and a half. She loved it there; independent as she was all the years before, they made it possible for her to feel right at home at the Gottfried, as well.  The residents at the Gottfried, dealing with a very difficult period of time, have my thanks, as well.

Speaking of being thankful.  My biggest thanks go to my siblings and family.
They were the ones dealing with all that needed to be taken care of over the years.  To make mom's last years happy ones they even stepped it up more.  I never took it for granted and I am a lucky son that has such a terrific family that with all their heart, were taking care of mom with all their might.  Countless hours doing all the little things that need to be taken care of, but mostly all the hard decisions that I did not have to make -- they just stepped forward and handled it.  Many of those really hard decisions I am probably not even aware of. Thanks to all of you; I had no worries that she had the best care possible. I love you!

German translation: