Inge Ivey's Obituary
Inge Ann Ivey, age 97, passed away on July 26, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington.
Inge Ann Ivey was born on February 1, 1927 in Kirn / Nahe, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Inge married a GI, James Barrett, whom she met at a soldiers club in Frankfurt December 30, 1947. They had to wait 3 years to marry as Inge had an illness and couldn’t travel. Years later they were married on August 14, 1953 in a small American Church. Jim had to commit to 3 more years in the Army and 1 year in Korea, then her paperwork was completed and Inge was able to enter the United States. They were stationed in Boston, MA and Rochester, NY. Inge was so excited to receive her U.S. Citizenship. Sadly Jim passed away and Inge moved to Hume, Illinois where Jim’s family lived.
On August 3, 1963, Inge married Major Curtis Ivey, a WWII and Korean War Veteran. She moved to be with Major Ivey in Denton, TX where she enjoyed being a part of the faculty wives of Texas Woman’s University. Curtis taught at Texas Woman’s University for 15 years.
Inge always had a passion for cooking and was interviewed multiple times in articles by the Denton Record Chronicle for gourmet meals she prepared. Inge was equally passionate about knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint. Inge supplied the family with amazing sweaters, hats, scarves and beautiful wall hangings.
In 1975, Inge and Curtis moved to Olympia, WA to retire. Inge loved Washington State as it reminded her of her mother country. The house overlooked Puget Sound and Mt. Rainer. The question was always, “Is the mountain out?” It was exquisite when it was clear.
Inge was preceded in death by her mother Emma Eberle Eckert, father Karl Eckert, brother Dietrich Eckert, husband James Barrett, and husband Curtis Ivey.
Inge leaves behind a loving family: her beloved brother Volker Eckert, sister-in-law Renate, loving nieces Sandra with partner Alexander and Sonja with husband Dominic, her great nephews, Paul and Lio, who she was always excited to receive pictures of, and daughter Martha Ivey.
Inge was a prolific knitter and during her later years knitted hundreds of hats for newborn babies that were gifted to hospitals in her area. When the hospitals had plenty of hats Inge moved to crocheting exquisite baby blankets for the hospitals.
Inge will be missed by her long term friends Mary, Monique, Claudine, Jacquline and their families. Special thanks to Maria and Mary, who gave Inge such friendship and assistance at the end of her time on earth.
We will all miss Inge and are thankful and blessed she was included in our lives.
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