Irma Magdalen Bushman Kackert

Irma Magdalen Bushman Kackert, 97, of Thousand Oaks, CA, passed away at her home on Monday, July 22, 2013 surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Aurora, Illinois on December 2, 1915 to George and Emma Bushman, she was one of 6 children. She attended college during the depression but left to help the family business so her brothers could finish college. She married her high school sweetheart, John Kackert, in 1937 and had 3 children, Judith Ann, Thomas John and Mary Lynn. Irma was a homemaker, and also worked in medical transcription. In 1943, she began volunteering as a swimming instructor for the American Red Cross. Irma’s love of water and the outdoors spurred her into a lifelong mission to teach swimming to over 1000 people of all ages. In 2008 Irma received an award from the Red Cross for 65 years of Volunteer Service. In 1972 Irma and John moved to California with her elderly mother, Emma. Both John and Emma passed away in 1975. In 1980, at age 65, Irma had an opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia as a hydro therapist at the A Hada Hospital in Taif. Over a period of 5 years, Irma worked in Saudi, made many wonderful lifelong friends, traveled and learned to scuba dive. Irma dove in the Red Sea, the Great Barrier Reef, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Thailand, just to name a few. Irma’s favorite things in life were raising a family, scuba diving and her experiences in Saudi. After completing work in Arabia, Irma travelled around the world twice on her own. During her travels she visited friends she made in Saudi, stayed in off-the-beaten-path hotels, experiencing life like the locals. She took amazing slide pictures and documented her travels in her journal which, upon her return, became her next passion. She was a frequent speaker at the Goebel Senior Center and other locations where she had her own lecture series, “Whizzin’ Round the World with Irma”. She continued giving these lectures well into her early 90’s. She also continued to teach swimming up until her last year, and would assist family members to teach her great grandkids to swim. Irma’s other interests were fishing, camping, playing guitar and piano, staying active by exercising, which included running 5 and 10K races, daily calisthenics and always swimming. Some of her happiest times were spent in her backyard pool surrounded by the multi-generations of family. Irma is preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. All funeral services will be held at St. Paschal’s Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks, CA, including Thursday, July 25 viewing from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM and Vigil Service/Rosary from 5:00 pm – 6:00 PM. Funeral mass will be held Friday, July 26, 2013 at 10:30 AM with reception to follow at the church hall. Graveside services will be held Monday, July 29, 2013 at 12:00 PM at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Aurora, Illinois. Fr. Timothy Piasecki will officiate. Local arrangements are being handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora. 630-631-5500. Please visit our interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com to leave condolences for Irma’s family or sign the guest book.

Irma Magdalen Bushman Kackert

December 2, 1915 - July 22, 2013