Waltraut (Emmerich) Ingold

Waltraut (Emmerich) Ingold passed away peacefully after a short illness on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. She was born in Reichenbach (Waldbronn), Germany on November 22, 1927, to Remigius and Gisela Emmerich. At age 14, Waltraut left her home to pursue technical schooling in Butzenbach, Germany. She relocated to Breslau in 1943, at the height of World War II before the advancing Red Army forced her to return to her home. Waltraut moved around war torn, and post-war Germany, working and studying, including stops in Kahrlsrue, Munich and Gaienhofen on the Bodensee. In 1950, while working in Olten, Switzerland, she met Johann Ingold, the love of her life. They were married in 1952 in Seeberg, Switzerland, and Waltraut immigrated to the United States later that year, joining Johann in Moran, Michigan. Later, Waltraut worked as a nurse in Lansing, Michigan, to support their family, while Johann attended Michigan State University. They then moved their young family to Yale, Michigan. Waltraut’s last move would be to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in 1963 where she lived until her death. Waltraut proudly became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1957 and earned her high school diploma from Sault Area High School in 1970. Waltraut maintained a keen interest in American history, politics, and culture throughout her life. Waltraut was very passionate about the arts and music, being most admiring of organ compositions, especially Bach. She sang with the Mary Wood and St. Mary’s Parish Choruses and was a long-standing member of the Sault Community Concert Association. She served as a volunteer in several charities and organizations including the Sault Community Concert, War Memorial Auxiliary, and the Alberta House. She has been an active member of St. Mary’s parish since 1963. Waltraut also loved to travel throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Upon retirement, Johann and Waltraut took several trips to Europe with friends, family, and the “boat crew.” They enjoyed a special trip together to Spain and Morocco. Johann and Waltraut travelled extensively in the United Sates and Canada during retirement, visiting children and grandchildren and touring Charleston, North Carolina, New Orleans, Louisiana, and San Fransico, California. A yearly highlight for them was attending opera week in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Waltraut maintained her interest in people and cultures of other countries when living in the Sault through her membership in People to People. She served as the group’s historian and hosted many exchange visitors, most especially members of Sault St. Marie’s sister city in Japan. Waltraut is survived by her daughter, Denise (Nick) Wilcox, of Wildwood, Illinois; three sons, Fred (Jane) of Lebanon, Nebraska; Bernard (Lolita) of Dumfries, Virginia; and Bruno (Monique) of Royse City, Texas; six grandchildren, Fred Ingold, Jr., of Hastings; Nebraska, Marissa Lahey of Prairie View, Kansas; Natalie Newton, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Tyler Wilcox of Wildwood; Analiese Marchesseault of Washington DC; and Erica Eagler of Bloomington, Illinois. She was also blessed with eighteen great-grandchildren. Waltraut was preceded in death by her husband, Johann in 2018; parents, Remigius and Gisela; sisters Anneliese, Gudrun and her twin Gunhilde. A Visitation will be held on Friday, April 5th from at 10:00 AM – 11:00AM at St. Mary’s Holy Name Cathedral, 377 Maple St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 AM with a luncheon after the Mass. A Graveside Service will immediately follow the luncheon at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Waltraut’s name to Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 or to St. Mary’s Holy Name Cathedral, 377 Maple St., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.

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Waltraut (Emmerich) Ingold

November 22, 1927 - March 31, 2024