Obituary of Irene Gabriele Johanna Traudt

January 19, 1929 – Karlsrule, Germany

December 4, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Irene Gabriele Johanna Traudt (nee Bühler) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the age of 95 years.

Irene’s childhood was not an easy one, growing up during WWII, losing her mother to cancer, and having to attend a boarding school with some of her siblings. In true Bühler fashion, Irene persevered and trained as a nurse and midwife in London and Scotland from 1950 to 1955.

In 1956, she bravely boarded the M.S. Seven Seas and made her way to Eastern Canada. In Ontario, she worked at the Waterloo Hospital, where she saved up enough money to buy her first car in 1957 (yes, they let Mom drive!). She headed west to Calgary, where she found employment at the General Hospital from 1957 to 1961, later working for a family doctor. At the Nurses’ Residence New Year's Eve Gala, Irene met her husband Conrad and were married in September 1959 at the Central United Church.

Those blessed to know Irene shall hold in their hearts, many warm memories spent together. Her love of gardening, birds, nature, and singing in the church choir inspired those around her. No doubt you have a pressed flower card from her that she carefully and artistically put together.

She was kind and cared deeply for her family and friends. She was a dear friend to many, a loving parent and Oma, who nurtured in others a love of the natural world, its creatures, and beauty, and welcomed all with hospitality and grace.

Irene is survived by her loving children, Wayne and Bettina, their spouses, Veronica and Mike, and her two grandchildren, Chantal and Jasmine. She is also survived by her sister Eva.

Irene was predeceased by her husband Conrad Traudt; parents, Ferdinand Bühler of Herrenalb, Germany, and Ida Bader of Waiblingen, Germany; her brothers, Ferdinand and Eberhard; and sister Hermine. 

As Mom was a very private person, please respect that no service will be held.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Irene’s family here.

In living memory of Irene Traudt, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.