Irmgard H. Batchelder

1930 – 2018

Putnam – Irmgard (Huthoff) Batchelder, 88, of Sabin St., passed away peacefully at her home on October 30, 2018, surrounded by her family. She was the loving wife of the late George R. Batchelder. Born on March 1, 1930 in Bremen, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Bernhard Huthoff and Marie (Hellberg) Huthoff.

As a young girl growing up in Bremen during World War II, her school was bombed and she was sent to Austria for safety. While there, she attended school and worked on a farm. She later returned to Bremen where, as a young woman, she met an American soldier, George Batchelder. After returning to the states, George asked her to marry him.

On June 23, 1951, Irmgard said goodbye to her family and boarded the S.S. Washington luxury liner in Hamburg, Germany, headed to New York. She was married on July 15, 1951, in Columbia, CT, at the home of George’s sister Marion Tasker.

During the early part of her married life, Irmgard lived on Crystal Road in North Windham. She was active in the local German Club and was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lebanon, CT.

She worked in the patient accounts insurance department for Windham Hospital in Willimantic, retiring in 1987. She later worked at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam and, after retiring, enjoyed volunteering in the development office and on the Woman’s Board.

In the 1970s, she moved to Lake Bungee in Woodstock where she and George built their dream home. She loved living on the lake and hosted many parties there with family and friends. Often seen on her pedal boat, she also enjoyed swimming and gardening. She later became a founding member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Smithfield, RI.

She resided in Woodstock until 2009, when she moved to Little River Acres in Putnam. It was there that she made many friends and generously shared baked goods and other gifts with her neighbors. She enjoyed reading, being by the water, and watching soccer and baseball on TV. She especially loved spending time with her four grandchildren.

Irmgard is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Margnelli and her husband Joseph of Putnam; Debra Phillimore and her husband Paul of Maricopa, AZ; and Georgia Peterson and her husband Robert of Woodstock; and her grandchildren, Brittany Irmgard Rowan and her husband Mark; Jessica Marie Peterson; Gregory George Leone; and Annaleise Beverly Radchenko and her husband Vlad. She was predeceased by her brothers, Bernhard, Karl-Heinz and Gunther Huthoff, and sisters Hilde, Marianne and Editha.

Proud of her German heritage and of being an American, she will be remembered for her generosity, kindness, strength and encouragement to others.

Irmgard’s family wishes to thank Hospice of Northeastern CT and Companions and Homemakers for their care and compassion. In addition, special thanks to Dr. Michael Baum and his staff, Dr. Dan O’Neill and DKH Medical Group, and Day Kimball Hospital’s oncology and emergency room staff.

At the family’s request, burial will be private and held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Irmgard’s name may be made to Hospice of Northeastern CT c/o Development Office, P.O. Box 239, Putnam, CT 06260.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam, CT. For memorial guestbook, visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.