Irma A. Kovach

Irma Adeline Kirschbaum Kovach, 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep and joined our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. She was born in Glen Haven, WI on December 20, 1924 to the late Carl and Genevieve (Mergen) Kirschbaum and was the sister of late siblings Lu Kirschbaum Thompson and Marilyn Kirschbaum. Irma grew up in Cassville, WI and graduated from Cassville High School. Irma married John Kovach on September 16, 1950. During the course of their 54 years together, they lived in East Chicago, IN, and Hammond, IN and retired to Bloomington, IN. Together they raised five children, Thomas Andrew, John Carl, James Paul, Kathryn Ann, and Ann Marie. Apart from living through the Great Depression, some of Irma's greatest life achievements included raising five children with her husband and ensuring they all received a college education. She also enjoyed a good game of cards, gardening, walking, baking (she made the best German chocolate cake), and travelling to Florida during the winter months. She was fortunate to have most of her family close by her entire life. Irma was a devout Catholic her entire life and was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Bloomington. She was also a member of the Alter and Rosary Society and Daughters of Isabella. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters; her beloved husband, John Kovach; sons Thomas Kovach and Dr. John C. Kovach; and grandson Matthew Kovach. Irma is survived by her son, James P. Kovach and his wife Jill, of Bloomington, IN; daughter Kay Van Fossen and her husband Steven, of Indianapolis, IN; daughter Ann Oelker and her husband Maurice, of Bowling Green, KY; widowed daughter-in-law Rita Kovach of Bloomington, IN; and widowed daughter-in-law Diane Kovach of Lewiston, ID. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Alison (Kovach) Letfus and her husband Daniel (Yogi) Letfus, of Auckland, New Zealand; Kristin Kovach of Columbus, OH; Christopher Kovach of Las Vegas, NV; Benjamin Kovach of Lewiston, ID; Thomas Kovach of Indianapolis, IN; Abby Oelker of Lexington, KY; Carl Oelker of Murray, KY; James M. Kovach of Bloomington, IN; Natalie Kovach of Versailles, KY; Alyssa and Nicholas Van Fossen of Indianapolis, IN. Irma was a bright, spirited, and tenacious woman who dedicated her life to her family and to the Lord. In recent years, Irma lived at Sunrise Senior Living in Carmel, IN. Her family would like to thank the staff there for caring for their mother and grandmother during this time. A funeral service will be held for Irma on Friday, December 9, 2011 and will be led by Father Tom Kovatch. Visitation will take place at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2222 East 3rd Street, Bloomington, IN from 10:30 - 11:30 AM. The funeral Mass will begin at 11:30am, with interment following at Valhalla Memory Gardens, 310 North Johnson Avenue, Bloomington, IN. A reception will immediately follow the interment in the St. Charles Parish Hall, 2222 East 3rd Street. Allen Funeral Home 4155 South Old Highway 37 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

Tributes

Irma A. Kovach

December 20, 1924 - December 6, 2011