Irmtraud Maria Karman (née Neuer) left this life on December 22, 2023. Born on April 9, 1935, in Singen am Hohentwiel, Germany, to Kurt and Elisabeth (Alber) Neuer, Irmtraud grew up in the nearby town of Stockach and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. A keenly creative problem-solver who met challenges as puzzles to be solved, Irmtraud succeeded in any endeavor she undertook. Her quiet determination led her to become an accomplished and respected manager with the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH) and Goodwill Industries. A fine knitter, chef, gardener, and home-maker, she patiently shared these skills with her children and grandchildren. Irmtraud also taught knitting and crocheting to friends and neighbors in the Winchester, VA, retirement community where she last resided with her devoted husband, Thomas, of 65 years.

Irmtraud found her one true love in Thomas when they met in Chicago, IL, in 1957. They married in 1958 in her hometown at St. Oswald Catholic Church and settled in Chicago to start their family. By the time they moved in 1968 to Rockville, MD, they had three children. Sharing a love for art and travel, she and Thomas visited galleries together throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe collecting art glass, paintings and sculptures.

A loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt, Irmtraud is survived by her husband, Thomas, and their three children, Sylvia Karman (L. Scott Muller), Michael Karman (Nadine), and Yvonne Karman Huber (Eric), as well as their grandchildren Michael Dougherty (Heidi Murray), Nicholas Williams (Calista), Alison Huber and Emily Huber, and great-grandchildren, Michael Dougherty, and Jackson Williams, and her brother, Dr. Günther Neuer (Dr. Franziska Neuer-Landfried) and her niece, Dr. Nina Olbert-Neuer (Jochen) and grandnieces, Annelucia Olbert-Neuer and Malou Olbert-Neuer.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Irmtraud’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in her memory and to honor her gratitude for God’s blessing in giving her and Thomas healthy children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Winchester, VA on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11am.