Irma Louise Schultze was born to Bertha (Wilkinson) and Lester Schultze at their home in Ransom, Illinois on 21 January 1936. She had one older brother, William (Bill) Schultze and an older half-sister, Luella Schultze.

Irma was one of the youngest American Civil War granddaughters as her grandfather, Lt. Aaron S. Wilkinson, fought for the Union. She lived in many different homes during her first 18 years, but a favorite was when her family owned a farm that housed over 1,000 pullets in Carlock, Illinois. In her teenage days, Irma was a terrific roller skater, canasta player, and loved croquet. Irma was also in the Girl Scouts for many years. She enjoyed both baton and dance lessons. A brilliant typist, her very first job at 16 years-old was working for Sears in their credit department.

When Irma was just four years old, she began studying piano and quickly became an accomplished artist having later performed works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninov. In grade school, Irma began playing the violin and continued through high school, performing in the orchestra. Finally, Irma discovered her love for singing and developed her beautiful dramatic soprano voice. She chose to specialize in sacred music and this led to many solo engagements in Illinois, Iowa, Florida and Ohio. Also an artist, Irma enjoyed drawing, working with pastels, and painting.

Irma was a born-again Christian, having been baptized at the First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, Florida. She often spoke of her love for this church and her activities there which included many, many hours singing in the choir, directing a children's choir, and playing piano for evening services.

Irma married Peter Christophersen in June of 1959 in West Palm Beach, Florida where she lived with her mother and step-father. She was mother to seven children and devoted herself to their care. Eventually her growing family settled in Columbus, Ohio where she lived until 2016. She then moved to Plano, Texas and it was there that she lived until her passing.

Irma's great passion in her life was her seven children and raising them was her full time job. She devoted her time to sewing costumes, getting kids to rehearsals, practices, games, music lessons, recitals, concerts, and plays. Her volunteer work included fundraising, tickets sales, room mothering (for multiple kids), bake sales, organizing Kinder Key caroling, and serving as a Captain for Easter Seals. She was also involved with Mother Singers, the PTA, cooking meals for church youth choir, chaperoning multiple functions, and accompanying her children on the piano.

After seeing her last child graduate high school, Irma returned to the outside workforce, first as a nanny and finally as a Patient Care Assistant and Monitor Technician for Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She greatly enjoyed her work there until she retired in 2004. After retirement, she was able to travel a bit more, enjoying a wonderful trip to Italy as well as a surprise trip to Colorado, both with family. Irma was blessed with 11 grandchildren whom she deeply loved.

Irma loved animals as was evident by the joy she experienced taking many photographs at the Columbus Zoo. She also loved to travel with her family and had especially fond memories of a trip to New England as well as Sanibel Island, Florida. Irma also adored college football, specifically the Ohio State Buckeyes and rarely missed watching or listening to a game. Irma was a great lover of movies and so enjoyed going to movie theaters with family or friends. Irma also loved gardening and had many lovely flower gardens throughout her life. And no recollection of her life would be complete without mention of her fabulous holiday decorations!

Irma is proceeded in death by both her parents, brother, sister, sister-in-law, Vera (Bramwell) Schultze and her nephew, Curt Schultze.

Irma is survived by her seven children: Robin Christophersen (Roy Clark), Karen Christophersen-Iacovetta (John Iacovetta), Brenda Christophersen (Stephen Lummus), Mary (Morrall) Branch (Courtney), Melissa Christophersen-Redmill (Keith Redmill), Lori Christophersen (Jeff Sowards), and Peter N. Christophersen, III (Lori). She is also survived by her beloved eleven grandchildren: Samuel Bennett (Lauren Dennis), Thomas Christophersen, Caleb Christophersen, Jared Christophersen, Jonah Lummus (Emma), Jordan Christophersen, Katharine Ames (Jacob), Grace Christophersen, Alexander Lummus, James Sowards, and Hannah Lummus. She is also survived by her nephew, Mark Schultze (Barbara) and niece, Lori Herrin (Lou).

Private family graveside services provided by Crouse-Kauber-Fraley Funeral Home. Irma's final resting place will be at Kingwood Memorial Park in Lewis Center, Ohio.