Obituary of Irma J. Nagelmann

Irma Jeanne Nagelmann, 92, beloved mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother, quietly took flight to join her Lord on December 30, 2011 with many of her extensive family present. A native of Santa Barbara and a 7th generation Californian, she was the daughter of the late George F. Verhelle and the late Angela Verhelle. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Edward during WWII, daughter, Sandra Baker, and her granddaughter, Thais Baker in 2009. She is a descendant of William Benjamin Foxen and Eduarda Osuna Foxen. Ben Foxen led Lt. Col. John Fremont and his men through an old Indian trail (San Marcos Pass) to capture Santa Barbara without bloodshed on Christmas day in 1846; and California was then ceded to the United States from Mexico. Survivors include her sister, Yvonne Gage of Mountain View, California, and daughters Madeleine Chapa and her husband Larry, of Solvang, Barbara Kelly and her husband Michael, of Santa Barbara; sons, Joel and his wife Jewel of Greensboro, Georgia, Ed of Newhall, California, Dave and his wife Jan of Boise, Idaho; and 15 grandchildren, and 19 great-grand children. Irma Jeanne was a loving and nurturing mother who selflessly committed her life to her family and friends. She was the kindest soul who was equally content listening to classical music or working on her many projects. She was retired from the Marshal's Office of Santa Barbara County. She was an active member of San Roque Catholic Church and volunteered at St. Mary's Seminary over several years. We celebrate her long and full life. She loved swimming at the beach and camping with her family. She was a fantastic cook, loved traveling, restoring old trunks and furniture, crafts of all kinds, and especially big family get-to-getters. A rosary and viewing will be held at San Roque Catholic Church on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. A mass will be said at 11:a.m. Friday at the Old Mission Santa Ines with internment following at San Ramon Chapel in Sisquoc. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent's of Santa Barbara.