Irma A. O'Donnell

Irma (Irmgard) A. O’Donnell, age 101, of Williamstown, NJ passed away on January 28th, 2024.

Irma was born in Breman, Germany on August 6, 1922 to Karl Könemann and Friederike A. Könemann. She came to the United States with her daughter Karin S. Eickmeier Mauger and her husband, Joseph Black in 1946 where they started their life together in Forked River, NJ. Irma knew very little English but she taught herself by reading the newspaper and working at the convenience store that they had rented an apartment above. Soon after, Joseph was deployed and never returned home. Later in life she met George O’Donnell they soon were married and resided in the Florida Keys. They owned and operated a lobster business, even building their own lobster traps. Irma was a hard worker; at the same time as owning and operating the lobster business, she was head housekeeper at the Checca Lodge Hotel and a cook at the local Elks Club.

Many years later, she and George divorced, and Irma headed back to NJ to be with her daughter, Karin, and her son-in-law. She then took a job at a local airport as a check-in security and was later offered a position at Philadelphia Airport but declined. Irma took an early retirement due to a heart condition. In 1977, she received her US citizenship.

Irma is pre-deceased by her parents, Karl and Friederike Könemann, her daughter, Karin S. Mauger, her son-in-law, Robert J. Mauger, her grandsons, Robert C. Mauger, Richard G. Mauger, Michael K. Mauger, her grandson-in-law, Robert Johnson, her great granddaughter, Marie Lynn Johnson, and great-great-grandson, Luca M. Johnson.

Irma is survived by her granddaughters, Karin A. Johnson, and Bernadette J. Spangler (Joseph), her grand-daughter in law, Margaret Mauger, her great-grandchildren, Melissa A. Johnson, Randy M. Johnson, Keith Mauger, Michael Mauger, Joseph F. Spangler IV (Samatha), Zachary R. Spangler and Alexa S. Spangler, as well as 2 great-great grandchildren, Lila L. Johnson, and Amelia Anne Spangler.

She loved all her grandchildren and family. She loved to cook family dinners, enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting and animals. Irma was deeply loved and will be missed by all the lives she touched.

Cremation and services will be held privately.