Ingeburg Maria Goolkasian died peacefully on Monday July 10th, with loved ones by her side. Ingeburg was born in Grafenrheinfeld Germany, and grew up with her parents Phillipp and Betty Meining, along with younger brother Helmut and sister Christa. She shared many stories of her family life, how they were fortunate to be living near farms which sustained them during the war, and how she enjoyed many evenings during her teenage years at the local dance hall.
In 1959, at the age of 23, she traveled to the US on a working visa, intending to spend a few years working while visiting with family. During that time, Ingeburg met a handsome young accountant, Wilbur, and after a brief courtship, soon they were engaged. Ingeburg had promised her parents that she would travel back to Germany for a visit before the wedding ceremony. Wilbur couldn’t wait for her return, so he made a surprise visit to Germany to marry her there. Wilbur and Ingeburg were married in her hometown of Grafenrheinfeld in 1961 and honeymooned in Oberammergau before settling back in the US in Fresno, California.
With her primary role as a wife and mom, Ingeburg took great pride in keeping the house in order while raising their six kids, shepherding each between many school, church, scouts, sports and music activities, and volunteering with these activities however needed. She was a great cook and especially baker, quickly whipping up her favorite käse kuchen for visitors, or German pancakes for the kids, and eventually grandchildren.
Ingeburg’s deep Catholic faith was a big part of her life and anchored her views, life perspective, beliefs and decisions. She loved deep discussions with family and friends around various meaningful topics including philosophy, psychology, religion, and politics, always looking to reach mutual understanding even when disagreeing. She regularly attended weekly, and often daily Mass, making a point to watch online when unable to attend in person, and adored reciting the Rosary.
In their retirement years, the couple moved to Oregon in 1997, enjoying their beautiful property overlooking the Umpqua river. Ingeburg was an avid gardener all her life and lavished her attention on her many flowers, including her passion for orchids, taking pride in each one’s new blossoming, occasionally entering them into competition with her local orchid society. When she visited her children, she often spent her time ‘cleaning up’ their household gardens, pruning and watering. She couldn’t resist taking a particularly neglected plant home and was simply giddy when she was able to bring it back to life, remembering exactly who’s it was and showing off pictures when it bloomed.
After moving back to Fresno in 2013, Ingeburg loved spending time in each of her children’s homes, attending the grandchildren’s school, band, dance and sports activities. She was affectionately referred to as Oma by all, and loved traveling with the various families to the beach, mountains and anywhere she could join along on vacations. She was particularly fond of fishing at Huntington Lake. It was quite fitting that she spent her last few weeks lovingly cared for and surrounded by her entire family.
Ingeburg is survived by her siblings, Helmut and Christa , sister-in-law Hilde, her son Todd, daughters Deborah, Christine, Theresa, Bettina and Elizabeth, her loving daughter- and sons-in law, and her 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She will be laid to rest in Reedley, California, next to her husband Wilbur.
A visitation for Ingeburg will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720 followed by a Recitation of the Holy Rosary Service at 7:00 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial Service will occur on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 12:00 PM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (Reedley), 1060 F St., Reedley, California 93654, followed by a Committal Service at Reedley Cemetery District, 2185 S Reed Ave, Reedley, CA 93654, Reedley, CA 93654.
Following the burial the family invites all to attend a celebration of life reception at:
Ridge Creek Golf Club, 3018 Ridge Creek Drive, Dinuba, CA 93618
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Goolkasian family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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