Irma Pauline Leaser died peacefully at Home Place Special Care Facility in Oak Harbor, Oct. 9, 2008 at the age of 88.

She was born April 9, 1920 in Midland City, Ill., the second of six children of Leonard and Bessie Hendrickson.

She went to nursing school in Peoria and became a registered nurse. She married Delbert Leaser in 1942 and moved to South Bend, Ind. They had two children, John and Joyce.

Irma was a very enthusiastic and dedicated career nurse. She preferred independent nursing, serving as a private duty nurse, school district nurse, and visiting nurse.

Irma was very social, and had been in countless organizations, including home economics clubs, cub scouts, PTA, garden clubs and seniors organizations.

Irma and her husband moved to Seattle in 1962. She loved the Northwest, and lived in Seattle until she and her husband retired to Whidbey Island in 1980. Her husband of 56 years, Delbert, passed away in 1998.

Irma was a very vibrant, active individual into her 80s. She slowly declined from Alzheimer’s and spent the last six years in a care facility.

She was a very dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed gardening, homemaking, camping, and her grandchildren. She loved her home on Whidbey Island, with its view of the water and mountains.

She is survived by her brothers William and Phillip Hendrickson; her son, John; and grandchildren Heather, Shari and Tim and great-grandchildren Kaitlyn, Spiro, Sophia, and Mateo.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.