Irma Mangels

Irma Mangels, 90, of Villa Hills, KY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Franklin Ridge Healthcare Center in Franklin, OH.  Irma was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany on July 29, 1932, to the late Johannes Tams and Marta Hinrichsen Tams.

Irma grew up in Germany. After completing her education she immigrated to America on her own at the young age of 18. She had a courageous and independent way about her. With the encouragement and guidance from her mother and her uncle, she learned English and started working as a live-in maid for families in the San Francisco Bay area and later in Long Island, New York.  She decided to settle in New York and became a United States citizen in 1967. Irma married the love of her life, John Mangels in 1962.  They had one wonderful son who Irma adored. Irma was an outstanding cook, baker, and hostess. She held some of the finest tea parties around. Her talents didn’t stop in the kitchen, she was a wonderful knitter, especially needlepointing. Irma was also given a special “green thumb.” She could bring the saddest plant or any flower back to life in no time. Irma and John moved to Kentucky in 1993 to be closer to their two grandsons. Irma was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Erlanger, KY. She was a sweet and kind soul who had strong faith, will, and determination for everything she did in life. She loved her family and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Irma is predeceased by her loving husband, John Mangels; brothers, Werner Tams and Bruno Tams; and grandson, Karsen Roggensack.

Those left here to carry on her great legacy are her son, Hans (Marty) Roggensack; grandson, Riley Roggensack (Jadyn Orrick); brothers, Uwe Tams, Johannes Tams, and many other extended family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 6, 2023, to honor her life from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Linnemann Funeral Home, 30 Commonwealth Ave, Erlanger, KY 41018.  A funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.  Irma will be laid to rest next to her husband and grandson at Highland Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, KY.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made in Irma’s name to Bethany Lutheran Church, Erlanger, KY 41018, or in remembrance of Irma’s grandson Karsen to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.