Tribute to Hilde Kirrmaier

Long time Kimberley resident and Kimberley Nordic member Hilde Kirrmaier passed away Saturday, Janurary 14th. A celebration of Hilde's life was held at the Nordic Centre Friday, Janurary 20th, a perfect venue for the last hurrah for a faithful member.

Hilde Kirrmaier (nee Walter) was born in Berlin, Germany, the third of five children. Shortly after WWII erupted, the family fled the battlefront and moved from home to home. Her love for children and learning led her to pursue a certificate in early childhood education, followed by work as a nanny and play-school teacher. In 1958 she immigrated to Canada where she spent her first years in the hamlet of Goodsoil, Saskatchewan, enrolling in the high school there to improve her English skills. A move to Edmonton provided new opportunities; a job in a bank, starting her own play-school, and joining a German choir where she met Rudy. They married in 1961 and raised three daughters in a cozy home filled with love, music, crafts, and summers camping. In 1969 she and Rudy started dancing and subsequently spearheaded and led the Bavarian Schuhplattlers of Edmonton for 18 years. Hilde also contributed to the preservation of German language and culture by teaching children for many years, receiving numerous awards. She revelled in her role as Oma to her two grandsons who were born in 1992 and 1999. Hilde's love for gardening and the great outdoors continued when she and Rudy retired to Kimberley in 1999. Here she connected with like-minded, active women and co-founded the Go Girls and Biker Babes who have enjoyed hiking, cross-country skiing, and cycling in Canada and abroad.

Thank you.

Lorna Locke