Irma Marie Heyer, an irrepressible force of joy, departed this world on March 16, 2024 at the age of 102, leaving behind a legacy of love. Born on August 12, 1921, in Chicago, to Mary and Janos Kalchbrenner, Irma had an infectious positivity and penchant for breaking into bawdy songs. She will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of basking in her radiant presence.

Married to her beloved Edwin for sixty years, Irma had a clan of devoted descendants, including her three daughters: Sandra (John) Heyer, Nancy Pontier, and Lori (Ray) Hohenstein, all of whom will miss her inspiring impromptu speeches, witty quips, and unwavering support. All seven of her siblings [Julius (Pauline) Kalchbrenner, Joseph Kalchbrenner, John Kalchbrenner, Anna (Rudy) Kulovitz, Elsie (Edward) Kennedy, Helen Kalchbrenner, and Marion (Roy) Fox and several of her beloved nieces and nephews preceded her in death.

Irma's family tree branches out to six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews, all of whom will cherish her boundless love and her knack for turning even the most mundane moments into something special. In large part because of her, we are all "copacetic," which was Ed and Irma's favorite phrase to describe their harmonious family.

After she had to quit school at age 16 to help support her family, Irma embarked on a series of jobs, including working in a downtown Chicago skyscraper as a cigar girl. Her zest for life never waned. In her later years, she taught at a Montessori preschool, shaping young minds with her unique blend of wisdom, humor, and patience.

Irma was not just a loving Christian; she was a living embodiment of Christ's teachings, spreading radical acceptance and unconditional love to everyone she encountered. A true beacon of light in the world, she made it her mission to ensure that everyone felt welcome and loved.

In Irma's world, love was what mattered. After Covid forced her grandson to scale down his wedding plans, she quipped, "You don't need to have fancy, you need to have love". That's it, a sentiment that summed up her approach to life.

With her passing, we bid adieu to a remarkable woman who faced life's challenges with an indomitable spirit that inspired all who knew her. She survived wars, pandemics, ill health, blindness, and social changes, always embracing the new, always hopeful about the future. As Irma herself once said, "It takes guts to stay alive. Things will happen to you in life, and you just gotta deal with 'em. It's not easy, especially when you get old". Her family would like to thank her friends and caregivers, especially those who were by her side in her final years. She faced life with determination, with a smile on her face, with a song in her heart, and with a boogie in her hips.

So here's to Irma Marie Heyer, the fearless matriarch who lived a long and happy life on her own terms and left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her. Rest in peace, "Myrn," and may your laughter echo through the halls of eternity. To anyone reading this, if you find yourself at Heaven's door, Irma will be there to greet you. And you're getting a hug, whether you want one or not. Schroeder-Lauer Funeral has been entrusted with Irma's arrangements and care. www.schroederlauer.com . Services for Irma will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Irma's name to Trinity Lutheran Church - Community Meals, 2505 Indiana Avenue Lansing, IL 60438 or

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