Irmgard Helene Chmiel, 96, passed away on September 26, 2026. She was born on April 27, 1930, in Fulda, Germany, to the Pabst family.

Irma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John, and her daughter, Christine.

Family was at the heart of Irma’s life. She is survived by her sons, Harold and his wife, Madelene, and Jerry.

Irma was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. Through her children, Harold and Christine, she was blessed with six grandchildren: Jennifer, Michael, Eric, Matthew, Scott, and Nicholas. Jennifer is married to Joseph, and together they have three children, Abigail, Lorelai, and Cameron. Michael is married to Dani, and they have a son, Jamie. Matthew is married to Victoria. Nicholas is married to Emily, and together they have two children, Sienna and Jaxon.

Irma expressed her love for her family in many ways, perhaps most memorably through her cooking and baking. She loved preparing food for the people she cared about and was especially known for her incredible German Christmas cookies. Her famous spritz cookies became a cherished family tradition. Today, her granddaughter Jennifer continues to make those same cookies, carrying Irma’s tradition forward and ensuring that a little piece of Irma remains present at family Christmases for generations to come.

Irma also enjoyed knitting and creating things by hand. Like her cooking and baking, knitting gave her another way to share her time, creativity, and love with those around her.

Irma was wonderful company and always so much fun to talk to. She had a signature response that her family will never forget: “ya,ya.” Those two little words became unmistakably Irma, and her family can still hear her saying them.

Irma leaves behind more than a family tree. She leaves behind recipes, traditions, stories, laughter, and memories that will continue to be passed down from one generation to the next. Her family will carry her love forward whenever they gather around the table, make her Christmas cookies, share a story, or hear her familiar voice in their memories saying, “ya,ya.”

She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by the family she loved so dearly.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM until the time of the funeral mass at 11:30 AM at Saint Alphonsus Liguori Church 411 N. Wheeling Road, Prospect Heights, IL. 60070.  For additional funeral info, call the funeral home at 847-966-7302.