Obituary of Irene Elfried Bloch

May 18, 1929 – March 7, 2019

It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of Irene Bloch on March 7, 2019 at the age of 89 years.  She was a long-time resident of Grande Prairie and leaves behind family and many friends.

 Irene was born in AltSeidenberg, Germany to Alfred and Meta Vogel.  She was the youngest of four children.  She was forced to evacuate her home with her family in 1945 when the war was coming to an end.  She lived in the Hannover area and in 1952 she met Wilhelm Bloch when her best friend married Wilhelm’s brother.  They maintained a correspondence friendship until 1958 when Wilhelm returned from Canada for Christmas with the intention of wooing Irene.  Within a few weeks they were engaged and then married on February 7, 1959.  Wilhelm returned to Canada shortly after the wedding to prepare a home for her.  Irene had to wait for official paperwork to clear before she was able to join him.  She arrived in Canada on July 17, 1959 and on October 1 their daughter, Anke was born and two years later, they welcomed a son, Frank.  

Irene was a doting mother and was heartbroken when her son, Frank was killed in a snow tunnel accident on February 28, 1972.  She turned the love she had to her husband and daughter and many friends.  She always welcomed children in her home and will always be remembered for her good cooking and baking.  She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and also the Society of German Canadians where she generously shared her baking and cooking skills at their fundraisers and dances.  She enjoyed socializing, music and dancing and could be counted on to participate and have fun at all functions.  She even chose employment that would allow for contact with people and where she could share her generous love of people and life.  Even as her mobility was becoming more limited, she still enjoyed tending her garden.  Her love for flowers and gardening was well known but her love of animals was even greater.  During her life in Canada, she was never without a pet. 

She was predeceased by her son, Frank, husband, Wilhelm, sisters Herta and Lotte and brother Erich.  She was a bright light to all who knew her and will be greatly missed by her daughter, Anke (Hans Gruttner), granddaughter Kelsea (Nick Linterman), nieces and nephews in Germany and many good friends. 

Memorial service for Irene will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 10407 100 Street, Grande Prairie on Wednesday, March 13 at 2:00. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bandaged Paws, 8618 91 Street, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8X 1V6, Alberta Cancer Society, 710 10123 99 St. NW, Edmonton, ABT5J 3H1 or a charity of one’s choice.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com