Irma N. Duncan

Irma Nelda (Wanner) Duncan passed away to be with her Lord on November 20th, 2011 at 2:20 PM. She resided at Park Ridge Care Center and was being cared for at Northwest Hospital in Seattle, WA following a massive stroke she experienced on the previous Tuesday. Irma’s passing was peaceful and she was surrounded by family all the days leading up to her passing. She was 86.

Irma was born in Mountain, Wisconsin on April 8th, 1925 to Herman and Genevieve Wanner. She was the fourth born in a family that would eventually have 12 children. Irma and her parents and siblings loved to tell the stories of living in a log cabin in the woods of Green Bay. She always described her childhood as idyllic and sweet and her family as close. These memories became a real source of joy for Irma, especially in her last years.

Irma married Hugh Berkley Duncan in 1947. They were known for loving to sing and dance and enjoyed many evenings out in their early married days to enjoy those activities together. Hugh and Irma had several businesses together including a photograph company they ran out of their home where Hugh took the pictures and Irma tinted them for their clients. Eventually Hugh went to work for Boeing and Irma took office positions at several Seattle businesses over the years.

Irma and Hugh had a daughter in 1949 but she did not survive. Then Dawn Alva Marie was born in 1951 and Janyce Hope in 1957. The family lived in Seattle, then San Diego for a few years before Hugh and Irma separated in 1964. Many years later, when Hugh became ill, Irma cared for him in his home until his passing in 1986. Those were precious months for them both as they spent Hugh’s last days together.

Irma lived the next 24 years in Springfield, Oregon in order to be closer to her mom and siblings. In 2010 Irma returned to Seattle in order to be closer to her family there.

Irma was known for her faith in her Lord and enjoyed sharing His love and encouraging others. She loved praying for other people and saw this as her ministry in her last years.

Irma is survived by her two daughters, Janyce and Dawn, her son-in-law Robert, her grandchildren Brandon and Monica Lewis, Jennifer and Daniel Buker, Garrett Lewis, and Brynn Lewis, and her great-grand children, Gabriel, Annabelle and Cameron Lewis and Alaina Buker. Irma is preceeded in death by her mother and father, her husband Hugh, her grandson Reuben, and her brothers Norman, Jack (Rudy) and Gordon. She is survived by her sisters Gladys, Jean, LaVerne, Genevieve, and Darlene, and by her brothers Franklin, Herman, and Donald.

A Memorial Service will be held for Irma at Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home on Monday, November 28th, 2011 at 10:30 AM.

Arrangements under the direction of Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington.