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Ingeborg Johanna Frass
January 10, 1925 - August 7, 2013
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Inga was born in Northern Germany (Grafelde) on Jan. 10 1925 and grew up in a small community, Syke, near Bremen. Her father was a high school teacher. He was very hard working, and raised rabbits, silkworms and kept bees. He tended a large forest garden. Inga’s mother sewed, embroidered, knit, cooked and kept house for her growing family.
Inga was the eldest of seven children, and was always busy babysitting. Her very kind and much loved mother died of a pulmonary embolism when she was 15. After that, Inga had to take on a lot more household responsibilities.
After secondary school, Inga started nurse’s training in Tuebingen. It was during the war, so she recalled always being hungry and tired. The nurses often had to move all our patients into the hospital basement because of nightly air raids.
After the war, Inga spent 5 years in England in Wolverhamptom. She studied midwifery and worked as a midwife. She really enjoyed these years. She delivered over 1,000 babies in England. Inga often visited London’s art galleries and museums during this time. Inga then returned to Germany and did sick children’s nursing in Bremen. In 1956 she decided to emigrate to Canada. Inga found a nursing position in St. Cathrine’s , Ontario, and she left Germany by boat with one suitcase and 20$.
In St. Cathrines Inga worked in the maternity ward. After a few years she moved to Edmonton and nursed there. She soon became head nurse of a maternity ward.
In Edmonton, Inga met her husband Michael Frass at the home of mutual friends. They began corresponding, and then decided to marry. He did not want to come to Edmonton, so Inga moved to Castlegar to live with him. She worked at Castlegar’s hospital, and later at KLDH after moving to Nelson. Inga was not able to transfer her RN credentials directly from Alberta to BC, and it took some years before she became an RN here. Inga chose to work at Mt. St. Francis’ hospital since she could get a part – time position there when her children were small. She stayed there until her retirement.
Michael and Inga bought a house on 614 Latimer St. They had 2 children, Chris and Hanna. Michael worked at the CPR, and was tragically killed in an accident in 1966 when the children were very small. As a widow with 2 children, Inga worked very hard and had to be very thrifty. She had very kind neighbors on Latimer ST. The family later moved to Rosemont when the children started school.
Over the years, Inga was very busy working, raising 2 children, caring for her beautiful garden, canning and preserving, doing needlework, reading many books, doing crossword puzzles, listening to CBC radio and feeding birds. Inga loved growing medicinal herbs. She continued doing a lot of handicrafts and gardening after retirement. Inga really kept herself active and busy with all her hobbies. She was a member of the rock club, and used to volunteer at the IODE. She went to the Lutheran Church. Inga was a bit shy, but very well read and well informed.
Inga worked hard all of her life, and took pride in what she had achieved. Inga saved hard for her children and grandchildren. Though she was a single parent (widow), She save to give both Chris and Hanna property and to build Chris’ house. She was very fair. She was an unselfishly loyal mother, she cared for and loved us deeply. Her children and grandchildren came first for her. We were always in her thoughts and on her mind.
Our dear mom was very independent until a sudden stroke May 2011. After her stroke Inga understood her surroundings, but had difficulty expressing herself (expressive aphasia and dyspraxia). She still loved to see friends and family, loved watching good movies, the news, soccer, nature and science programs. She liked puzzles and looking at books. She especially appreciated books about geology, rocks and minerals. After her stroke, Inga had a beautiful smile, and though she could not speak, her beautiful smiles brightened our days and our lives. During the last 2 years of her life, Inga was dearly cared for by the Staff of Jubilee Manor. She passed away in the morning of August 7th 2013. Inga was much loved, and she will be missed so much.
Inga is survived by her grandchildren Chad Frass and Elise Tesling; Her children Chris Frass and Hanna Tesling; Her brothers, sisters and inlaws in Germany Hilde, Wolfgang and Lore, Gerhard and Annemarie, Herman (surname Loennecke) and Helga and Juergen Richter Loennecke. She is survived by her nieces, nephews and their families.
Inga was predeceased by her husband Michael Frass and his family, her grandson Tyler Frass, her sister Irmgard Loennecke, her parents Herman and Marta Loennecke (Brauns). It comforts us that she is with these loved ones.
Inga will be cremated, and will have a funeral and memorial ceremony in late September or early October. She will have a second memorial ceremony in Syke, Germany (where she grew up).
Inga will be missed very much by her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Our Oma and Mami has passed on. Our hearts are broken, and we long for her beautiful smiles.
Condolences
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From: Thompson Funeral Service Ltd. Staff
Thompson Funeral Service Ltd. Staff send our condolences to family and friends.

From: Marion Hunter
Relation: Neighbour in Rosemont
My thoughts go out to Hannah and Chris at this time. Inga was a lovely woman and a great neighbour in Rosemont. I was fortunate to have known her and send my love to you both at this time.

From: Leni Otterbein McMillin
Relation: family friend
Dear Hannah and family…kind memories of your mom will remain now that she is in a place of peace…gentle wishes at this time of transition…love Leni

From: Ulla and Manfred Menke
Relation: family and friends
Dear Johanna and family, we were deeply saddened to hear about the death of Inge! So many lovely memories are connected with Inge. Our thoughts and wishes are with you and Chris. Ulla + Manfred, Herford
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